I LIBRARY OF COA^GRESS. 

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RICHFIELD SPRINGS 



AND VICINITY, 



HISTORICAL, BIOGRAPHICAL, AND DESCRIPTIVE. 



BY 

W. T. BAILEY. 



A. S. BAR.NES & OOMPAISTY. 

NETV YORK J^IS^ID CHIC^G-O. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by 

W. T. BAILEY, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



5-T3I 



INTRODUCTION 



AUTHENTIC annals are always desirable. The con- 
spicuous circumstances connected with the early 
settlement of any town, are no doubt interesting to those 
who become identified with its growth and prosperity, and 
especially, if by some fortuitous circumstance, unusual 
celebrity attaches to the particular locality. 

Situated just outside the line of territory distinguished 
in the annals of American history, we find our only resource 
of information without prestige ; and confined exclusively 
to the oral statements of aged citizens of this region. 
These forms are fast fading away, and with them a knowl- 
edge of many of the early events will pass into irretriev- 
able oblivion. Deeply impressed with the great import- 
ance of securing at least a share of this information before 
it ghall be forever too late, we have attempted, at no small 
sacrifice of time and labor, to collect these reminiscences, 
and give a brief history of Richfield Springs, its first settle- 
ment, growth, and present condition ; and have noticed 
some of the leading features of the adjoining towns, that 
may prove of interest to some. We have also given short 
biographical sketches of a few of the leading men, who 
have been identified with this place and immediate vicinity; 
and have noticed briefly some of those now living far 
beyond the allotted age of man. We have been particu- 
larly careful to admit nothing into these pages but facts 
from the most reliable sources. The constantly growing 



VI INTRODUCTION. 

importance of this village, annually attracts many strangers 
to the place during the summer months, for the use of its 
" Mineral Waters,'''' as well as for pleasure and recreation. 
This consideration, in connection with the pleasure it may 
afford those who regard it with especial love as the place 
of their nativity, first induced the attempt to prepare this 
volume. Around the place of our birth, there is always 
thrown a veil of the most delightful illusion, that time can 
never entirely obliterate. This love is no doubt strength- 
ened by familiarity with past events, and, as time advances, 
reverence and recollection add their influence to the na- 
tural affections. If in the effort to prepare this work, ^ve 
shall be so fortunate as to meet the reasonable expectation 
of the people of this place and vicinity, we shall have 
achieved all that our ambition can crave, or our most 
sanguine hopes have ever anticipated. 

We have also designed the work as a guide to the 
invalid, for the convenience of those who seek information 
in the use of these invaluable " waters \. " and we acknowl- 
edge especial obligation to Drs. W. B. Grain, and N. Get- 
man of this place, for their elaborate articles on this 
important subject. 

And our acknowledgments are also due to Mr. O. C. 
Brown of this place, for his assistance in the arrangement 
of the work. 

Trusting that our labors have not been in vain, we now 
submit the work to the public. 

W. T. B. 
Richfield Springs, March 34th, 1874. 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

American Hotel 59 

Andrustovvn settlers 181 

Around the Lake 184 

Bates, John 118 

Bennett's Hill 160 

Bloomfield, Jonathan 115 

Bramau, Elias 133 

Business Houses 65 

Canadarago Valley 80 

Canadarago House 60 

Canadarago Hill 158 

Gary, Darius H 122 

Cemetery 74 

Central Hotel 61 

Chamberlin, Hon. O. C 119 

Charaberlin, Hon. Alfred. ... 119 

Cheeseman, Edward 121 

Cherry Valley 80 

Churches 138 

Circulating Library 68 

Cleland, Hon. Jonas 100 

Clinton's Expedition 168 

Columbia, town of 192 

Common School 221 

Comstock, Ezekiel 120 

Conclusion 238 

Cooper, J. Fenimore 177 

Cooperstown 171 

Corporation 64 

Crain, Hon. W. C 87 

Cruger Mansion 183 

Davenport House 61 

De Long, Isaac 122 

Derthick House 61 

Early settlers 33 

Early incidents 40 



• PAOB 

Elk horns 221 

Elwood, Hon. A. R 127 

Exeter, to^vn of 191 

Fish. John 133 

Fly Creek 135 

Ford, Isaac S 135 

Freeman, Thomas 117 

Gano, John 112 

Gano's Hill 158 

Gano's Grove 161 

Garrett, John 113 

Green, Timothy 133 

Harrington, Daniel 135 

Hayes, Wm 133 

Hewes, G. R. T 98 

History 11 

House, Five-mile-point 175 

House, Mrs. 134 

Hyde, Hon. James 103 

Indians 150 

Introduction 5 

International Hotel 61 

Ireland, W. B 133 

Johnson, George 115 

Johnson, Gen. W. P 134 

Jones' Wood 137 

Jordonville 184 

Lake Canadarago 77 

Lake House 315 

Lake Otsego 177 

Layton, Joseph 113 

Manley, Dr. Horace 47 

Maplewood 138 



VIU 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Mason Family 117 

Masonic Lodge 67 

Memorial, Soldiers' 166 

Mineral Waters, Richfield, . , 51 
Mineral Waters, by W. B. C. 76 

Mineral Waters, by N. G 194 

Mohegan Hill 158 

Moore, William G 125 

National Hotel 60 

Otsego, town of 190 

Palmer, Dr. Wlieeler 108 

Palmer, Humphrey 130 

Panther Mountain 159 

Patents 228 

Picking Hops 219 

Popular Drive 162 

Post Office 63 

Pringle, Hon. Benj 129 

Private Boarding Houses 62 

Professions 64 

Prospect Hill 152 

Railroad 71 

Railroad Station 73 

Rain-storm 218 

Richfield Hotel 46 

Richfield Springs Mercury. . . 64 

Roy, James, Jr 126 



FAOB 

Rum Hill 159 

Russell, John 114 

ScHOOLEY, Richard 116 

Schuyler's Lake Village 82 

Skinner, Gersham 113 

Spring House 57 

Springfield, town of 186 

Stowel House 161 

Stowe, Mrs 167 

Summer 216 

Sunset Hill 151 

Telegraph 69 

Topography 9 

Towns adjoining 185 

Tuller, Henry 134 

Vrooman, Tunis 118 

Waiontha Mountain 153 

" Observatory 157 

Walter, Jacob 131 

Walter Burglar Alarm Co. . . 223 

Walnut-Grove House 216 

Ward, A. H 124 

Weatherbee, Alvin 138 

Wilbur, Gideon 120 

Wilder'sHill 159 

Winfield, town of 191 



EiCHFiELD Springs and YicmxY. 



TOPOGllAPHY. 



NEAR the geographical centre of the great State of 
,]Srew York lies the wealthy and populous County of 
Otsego, occupying a high elevation, and profusely diversi- 
fied by romantic valleys, wood-covered mountains, rapidly 
flowing streams, and placid lakes. 

The face of this section of the country is generally 
uneven ; its valleys run nearly north and south, in which 
are Otsego and Canadarago Lakes, and through which 
flow several streams, forming the eastern and western 
branches of the Susquehanna River. To the north of 
these valleys is an extensive plain or table-land, in which 
many of the smaller streams take their rise. This is an 
elevated and extremely healthful region, situated on the 
dividing ridge or water-shed of the Heidelberg or lime- 
stone division, twelve hundred feet above the valley of the 
Mohawk at the nearest point, and nearly two thousand 
feet above tide. 

On this elevated plain, in a gentle depression at the 
head of Lake Canadaras^o, lies the youno^ and flourishins: 
village of Richfield Springs, that has already attained a 
popular celebrity for the numerous '^ Mineral Springs " 



10 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

that abound within the corporate limits of the village and 
immediate vicinity. This place is situated sixtj-five 
miles directly west from Albany, the capital of the State, 
on the line of the Great-western turnpike. The location 
is remarkable for natural beauty, not only in its immedi- 
ate surroundings, but it occupies a position in the midst 
of the most charmingly diversified mountain and lake 
scenery : the mountain-sides in many instances, and 
especially where bordering upon lakes or streams, are 
jutted with immense ledges of rocks, or cut with deep 
ravines that assist so extensively in giving that romantic 
character to this portion of the State of New York, 
which it so eminently possesses. Six beautiful lakes are 
distributed in this vicinity almost within sight of each 
other ; and this was known to be a region of popular resort 
of the aboriginal tribes of the valley of the Mohawk and 
western part of the State before the whites encroached 
upon the original possessors of the territory. Unlike 
the spasmodic grow^th of many Western towns, with their 
restless and ever-changing population, this village has 
grown gradually in size and public favor, until it now 
has a population of nearly fifteen hundred, with rapidly 
increasing accessions from year to year. The place has 
attained an exalted popularity by the efficacy of its min- 
eral w^aters in the treatment of many forms of chronic 
diseases, as hundreds of cases can attest. All the appoint- 
ments of a first-class watering-place can here be found. 
Large and commodious hotels and many private boarding 
houses having been recently erected, which will be duly 
noticed in the following pages. 



HISTORY. 11 



HISTOKY. 



" At the commencement of the Revohitionary War, 
all that portion of the State of 'New York Ijing west of 
a line running north and south nearly through the centre 
of the present County of Schoharie, was known and desig- 
nated as ' Tryon County,' in honor of William Tryon, 
then Governor of the province." The present County 
of Otsego was embraced within this territory, and was at 
the time of the Revolution an almost unbroken wilder- 
ness, with the exception of a few small settlements on its 
extreme eastern border, among which Cherry Yalley is 
noted as the scene of a most revolting Indian massacre, 
in the autumn of 1778. 

" John Lindesay was the first settler at Cherry Yalley 
in 1740, and during the first winter the snow fell to so 
great a depth that it was impossible for him to go to the 
nearest settlement, which was fifteen miles distant. 

" His provisions gave out, and his family were in 
danger of starvation. In this extremity they were visited 
by an Indian, who came on snow-shoes, and who on 
learniug their situation undertook to supply them with 
food. He went to the Mohawk and returned with a 
load of provisions, and continued his visits of mercy until 
the close of the winter. Mr. Lindesay afterward left the 
place, and the fear of Indian hostilities prevented the 
rapid growth of settlements in the county until after 
the close of the Revolution." We can scarcely realize 
the fact that less than a century ago, the vast extent of 
territory comprising Central New York lay in its pristine 
state, untrodden save by the foot of the Indian and the 
trapper, who left scarce a trace of their footsteps or a 
mark of their hands upon it. Here it lay from the 



12 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

creation of the world till our time, its varied and mighty 
resources slum!)ering through countless ages, waiting for 
the stroke of the Saxon's arm to awaken them into a 
beauteous life, proliHc with the blessings of civilization. 

In the year 1755, John Tunnicliff resided in Derby, 
England, where he owned a large and valuable estate, 
with extensive forests in which were preserved a vari- 
ety of game for the diversion of himself and numerous 
friends. Like nearly all his descendants, he was extremely 
fond of the sports of the chase ; and on one occasion he 
pursued and shot a deer in the forest of an English 
nobleman, who prosecuted him for the offence. This 
circumstance, it is said, together with the onerous tax 
imposed by King George II. on all gamesters, so 
incensed him that he at once resolved to emigrate to the 
American colonies, where he could be at libert}^ to enjoy 
the pleasures of the forest unrestrained by stringent laws 
or the caprice of titled nobility. 

Accordingly the following year he arrived in Phila- 
delphia. Extensive tracts of public land had already 
been granted to individuals and companies by the English 
Colonial Government in the eastern part of the colony 
of New York, and Mr. Tunnicliff visited this portion of 
the State in search of land, with a view of making it a 
future home for his family. Proceeding westward from 
Albany, he at length reached Cherry Yalley, w^iere he 
learned of the existence of a region of beautiful lakes 
and numerous mill-streams a few miles further to the 
west. He was desirous of securing a location that would 
resemble, as far as possible in its topography, his estate 
in England, and, amid the unlimited diversity before 
him, finally selected a tract of twelve thousand acres,"^ 

* The lands of tliis purchase extended easterly to the stream known 
as " Fly Creek," and the region of the headwaters of this stream 
are designated as the " Twelve Thousand " to the present day. 



HISTORY. 13 

about two miles southwest of Canadarago * Lake, in 
the patent just granted the same year to David Schuyler 
and others. Here he erected a cabin and commenced 
the work of clearing away the forest. Other adventurers 
had already occupied claims in the vicinity, and it doubt- 
less required no small degree of fortitude and courage to 
endure the privations and dangers incident to frontier 
life ; and especially when we take into consideration the 
peculiar exigencies of the times. The French and English 
nations were at this time contending for the mastery of 
the continent. The latter occupied the Atlantic slope, 
while Canada was in possession of the former, who were 
making vigorous efforts to control the western lakes, and 
rivers south to the mouth of the Mississippi, and thus 
confine the English to the Atlantic coast. The French 
had vast hordes of Indian allies, who were constantly on 
the alert to perpetrate acts of hostility on their foes. 
Frontier settlements were frequently destroyed, and iso- 
lated cabins and unprotected families fell into the hands 
of the savages, who burned their homes to the ground. 

Mr. Tunnicliff had frequently been apprised of the 
danger that surrounded him, and resolved to leave until 
the close of the French War. His farming utensils were 
buried in the forest, and he returned to his family in 
England. Soon after his departure, his buildings were 
burned by the Indians, and in consequence of this cir- 
cumstance he remained in England several years, during 
which time he sold his estate there, bestowing, according 
to the English custom of primogeniture, a large portion 
of his property upon his eldest son, John Jr., who had 
arrived at the years of manhood, and preferred to remain 
in the land of his hirth. Mr. Tunnicliff had three sons 
and two daughters. The two younger sons were at this 

* This name was pronounced by tlie Indians Can-da-ja-ra-go. 



14 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

time lads of twelve and fourteen years, and the eldest 
daughter was sixteen. 

Mr. Tunnicliff was possessed of a large property, and 
occupied a high social position. 

At Liverpool, he purchased a vessel fully manned, 
and with a considerable number of passengers on board 
(several families of which we shall have occasion to notice 
in this work) he sailed for Philadelphia, where he arrived 
in the summer of 1758. 

A farm, previously purchased, on the banks of the 
Schuylkill, was now occupied by the family, where they 
remained until the year 1764,* when they removed to 
Dutchess County in the colony of New York. 

Although peace had been restored the year previous, 
Mrs. Tunnicliff refused to accompany her husband to his 
lands in Schuyler's patent. Accordingly, a farm was 
leased for five years at Schenesborough, near Lake Cham- 
plain, Avhere the family were located with the two sons, 
Joseph and William. Mr. Tunnicliff now returned to 
his frontier estate, and found the ruins of his cabin tliat 
had been burned by the Indians. He at once caused 
new buildings to be erected, also a saw-mill on the stream 
near by, that was kept incessantly at work, to answer the 
requirements of the now growing settlement. His eldest 
daughter remained with her father at The Oaks^^ as it 
was called, from the circumstance that a large portion of 
the lands in the purchase were thickly covered with 
gigantic oak-trees. This name was subsequently given 
to the stream that forms the outlet of Canadarago Lake, 
which it still retains. At this early day, there were 

* Mr. Aurelius Tunnicliff, of Richfield Springs, has in his posses- 
sion at the present time, a powder-liorn, with a variety of devices 
neatly graven upon it, with the name John Tunnicliff, Philadelphia, 
August 30, 1764. 

f The " orchard " on this estate was the first in Otsego County. 



HISTORY. 15 

few or no roads in this section of the country, and trav- 
elling was done mostly on horseback or on foot. 

A deep and well-beaten Indian trail led from Cherry 
Valley to the western lakes, as they were called, passing 
nearly over the route of the present turnpike (a branch 
deflecting to Otsego Lake) to the liill one mile east of 
Hichfield Springs, thence to the lake, and down its east- 
ern shore to the outlet.* 

It was the work of several davs to travel between 

</ 

Lake Champlain and Lake Canadarago. The boundless 
and unbroken forests at this time were filled with a 
great variety of wild animals. The elk and deer were 
found in great numbers, and were so unaccustomed to 
the presence of man that they were easily caught. The 
common black bear, wolves, foxes, and beavers were also 
found in abundance, and the rustic dams of the latter 
could be seen in almost every stream. The nights were 
usually rendered hideous by the incessant howling of 
hungry wolves on the mountain-tops, the utmost precau- 
tion being at all times necessary while travelling through 
the dark and gloomy forest. The numerous lakes in 
this region were filled with a great variety of fish, and 
gregarious waterfowl swarmed in their waters, or flew 
screaming and terrified at the approach of the Indian or 
the hunter. 

" At the time of the discovery and settlement of the 
valley of the Mohawk by the Europeans, it was occu- 
pied by ^NQ. distinct nations or tribes of aborigines, all 
speaking a language radically the same, and practising 
similiar customs, who had united in forming a con- 
federacy, which for durability and power was unequalled 
in Indian history. They were the Mohawks, Oneidas, 

* " On tlie banks of the stream, forming the outlet of the lake 
the Indians were known to assemble annually for council." 



16 EICHFIELD SPRIKOS AND VICINITY. 

Onondagas, Cayiigas, aud Seuecas, called by the French 
Iroquois, and the Five Nations by the English." {Camp- 
heWs Tryoii County,) 

The great events of the Revolution were now impend- 
ing, and a warlike spirit had already been engendered 
among the several tribes of the frontier by their partici- 
pation in the French and Indian wars ; and an appeal 
to their cupidity by extravagant offers of reward, soon 
made them willing allies of the British, who immediately 
incited them to the most fiendish acts of hostility against 
the defenceless colonists. The leader of the savages in 
this vicinity was Joseph Brant, who was a Mohawk of 
pure blood. His. father was a chief of the Onondaga 
nation, and Joseph was the youngest of three sons. His 
Indian name was '^^Thayendanegea^^ which signifies 
strength. 

'' Early in the spring of 1778, Brant and his warriors, 
with a large number of Tories, appeared at Oquaga, his 
headquarters the previous year. There he organized 
scalping parties, and sent them out upon the borders. 
The settlers were cut off in detail. Marauding parties 
fell upon isolated fiimilies like bolts from the clouds, and 
the blaze of dwellings upon the hills and in the valleys, 
nightly warned the yet secure inhabitants to be on the 
alert. Their dwellings were transformed into block- 
houses. The women were taught the use of weapons, 
and stood sentinels when the men were at work. Half- 
grown children were educated for scouts, and taught to 
discern the Indian trail, and every man worked armed 
in his field. Such was the condition of the dwellers of 
Try on County during ahnost the whole time of the war. 
The first hostile movement of Brant in this region, was 
the destruction of the first settlement in Springfield 



HISTORY. 17 

near the head of Otsego Lake, in the month of May, 
1778.^ 

" Every house was burned except one, and into this the 
women and children were collected bv the order of Brant, 
and kept nnharmed ; but the men were either killed 
or taken captive, and carried away by the Indians." 
{Lossiiig). 

From an aged citizen f of Springfield, I learn that iu 
the eastern part of the town, in 1778, there were two log- 
houses standing near together, and on hearing of the 
destruction of Cherry Yalley, the occupants of these 
houses fled to the IMohawk, driving their cattle with 
them. Soon the Indians came and burnt their houses, 
and it was three years before these families returned. 
There was one house south of East Springfield, occupied 
by a family that fell into the hands of the savages. 

An Indian seized a child by the feet and dashed its 
head against the door-post. There was also one house 
just south of Springfield centre, and a grist-mill near the 
head of Otsego Lake. The Indians threw the large stone 
from the mill, but did not burn the building. 

"In the month of June (1778), Captain McKean, 
at the head of some volunteers, was sent to reconnoi- 
tre Brant's encampment at Oquaga (Broome County). 
McKean's headquarters were at Cherry Yalley. On his 
way down the valley of the Charlotte Eiver, he learned 
that large war-parties were out, and fearing a surprise, 
thought it prudent to return. He halted an hour to 
refresh, and wrote a letter to Brant, censuring him 
for his predatory warfare, and intimating that he was too 

* I am unable to ascertain tlie exact location of this first settle- 
ment in Springfield, th us destroyed. — B. 

f Mrs. Burnliam, who has been a resident of Springfield seventy- 
eight years, now ninety-five years of age (1874). (Z. E. Lay, Esq.) 



18 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

cowardly to show himself in open and honorable conflict. 
McKean challenged him to meet him in single combat, or 
with an equal number of men, to try their skill, courage, 
and strength, and concludes by telling him that if he 
would come to Cherry Yalley, they would change him 
from a Brant to a goose. This was an injudicious move- 
ment, and doubtless incited the Sachem in some degree 
to join Butler, a few months later, in desolating that 
settlement." (Lossmg.) 

During this time. Brant's visits were frequently 
extended to the remotest settlements and cabins in the 
valleys of the Susquehanna and Canadarago, and he was 
well known to the Tunnicliff family at The Oaks, who 
treated him and his comrades on all occasions with the 
utmost kindness, being actuated by policy under the 
peculiar circumstances of the times. Being aiirm adherent 
to the cause of Great Britain, Mr. T. refused to renounce 
his original allegiance to the crown. 

On the occasion of the first visit of Brant to the house 
of Mr. Tunnicliff, and while standing near the daughter, -" 
he twined the heavy ringlets of her hair through his 
brawny fingers, and remarked, " What a beautiful scalp 
this would make, to adorn the belt of a young warrior ! " 
Inquiring for her father, he was directed to a distant 
meadow, where Mr. Tunnicliff was at work with his 
scythe. As he approached him. Brant inquired, " Is this 
Tunnicliff ? " Being answered in the affirmative, he asked, 
" Tory or rebel ? " Being assured that his affiliations were 

* This beautiful daughter of Mr. Tunnicliff afterwards married 
Dr. Jones, of Brockville, Canada, on the north bank of the St. Law- 
rence River. Their son, Hon. Dunham Jones, now resides upon the 
original estate of his father, and has for many years held offices of 
distinction under the Britisli Government. Near the close of the last 
century, Mr. Tunnicliff built a church near his residence (Episcopa- 
lian), but it was destroyed by fire in 1840. He died in 1800. 



HISTORY. 19 

with the former, he appeared satisfied, and said, " Then 
3^011 are a friend of the Eed Man, whose scalping-knife is 
ever ready to inflict vengeance on its enemies." Thus 
saying, he brandished its gleaming blade over his head, 
and struck its point into the breast of Mr. Tunnicliff 
with sufficient force to draw blood, remarking, with an 
expression of murderous earnestness,- "If you are truly a 
friend of my race, remain quietly in 3"our cabin, and 
I, as chief of the Mohawks, will protect you, and your 
family, in the day of battle. Thus saying, he imme- 
diately departed, and quickly joined his war-painted 
comrades, and they soon disappeared in the gloom of the 
forest, in the direction of Canadarago Lake. During 
the progress of the devolution, many of the settlements 
west of Albany, were either broken up altogether, or 
their growth entirely suspended through fear of Indian 
liostilities. AYhen we look upon the beautiful scenery 
of this region at the present day, we cannot avoid the 
reflection, that all over these rugged hills and deep val- 
leys, Indian warriors and hunters scouted for ages before 
the Pale Face made his advent among them ; and the 
slumbering echoes were often awakened by the loud 
whoop of the Iroquois and Mohawk, who prowled 
through these forests in search of wild game ; or still 
later, to fall upon the defenceless settlers, and imbrue 
their savage hands in innocent blood. Immediately 
upon the return of peace by provincial emancipation, and 
the establishment of a liberal form of government in the 
States, they at once became the asylum for thousands of 
Europeans, who sought homes on the shores of the ISTew 
AYorld. Kegions that had hitherto been solitary wilds 
for unknown ages, were soon transformed into flourishing 
towns and intelligent communities. The fertile valleys 
and plains of Otsego County were now taken up by 



20 RICHFIELD SPKINGS AND VICINITY. 

ambitious, frugal, and industrious emigrants, who pur- 
chased lands at merely nominal prices of those who still 
held claims or patents obtained under colonial authority. 
The northern portion of Otsego County was regarded 
w4th especial favor in consequence of its beautiful lake 
scenery, fertile soil, diversity of timber that composed its 
rich forests, eligible mill-sites and water privileges, aside 
from the salubrity of the climate, and pure streams of 
running water that abound so extensively, and are so 
essential to our farming interests at the present day. 

In the year 1774, John Tunnicliff purchased six hun- 
dred acres of land in the northern portion of Schuyler's 
patent, commencing near the mouth of Fish Creek,* and 
running northerly to the present line of Herkimer 
County. 

The line crossed what is now Main Street in this vil- 
lage, near where now stands the National Hotel, and 
included the western half of the present corporate limits. 
The trees on about two hundred acres of this land were 
"girdled" at this time, preparatory to a permanent 
settlement, and the erection of mills on Fish Creek. 
Canadarago Lake at this time was skirted by a dense for- 
est, and its shores were bedecked by a profusion of lacus- 
trine plants and flowers. A howling wilderness envel- 
oped the mountains and deep valleys in every direction ; 
gigantic forest-trees cast their long shadows far over the 
waters of the lake that lay in wild seclusion in the midst 
of the primeval forest. This was indeed a wild and 
picturesque region, but possessing all the natural ele- 
ments that have since Contributed to its present state of 
material prosperity so abundantly enjoyed by us. 

In 1791, William Tunnicliff, the youngest son of John 
Tunnicliff", built a saw-mill at Richfield Springs. The 
* This stream was called bj the Indians the " Ocquionis.'* 



HISTORY. 



21 



mill-dam that now forms " Lake Clement " was built the 
same year. The following year a grist-mill was erected 
on the opposite side of the creek {east side), which 
answered the purposes of the towns-people for several 
years, except in low water, when they had to go to great 
distances. Says Levi Beardsley in his Keminiscences, 
" There were no stores near us, and if there had been, we 
had nothing to pay for goods. 

" Our nearest mill, while we lived at the lake near 
Herkimer's Creek, was Tubbs', on Oaks Creek, near 
Toddsville, some three miles from Cooperstown. After 
we went to Kichfield, we sometimes went to this mill, 
sometimes to Walbridge's in Burlington, and some- 
times to Fort Plain, the latter at least thirty miles as the 
road then ran." The old building in which was the first 
grist-mill, just eighty-one years ago, is still standing, 
near the present mill of Mr. John Dana in this village. 

The same year that William Tunnicliff built the 
mills at Eichheld Springs, Isaac Freeman emigrated 
from New Jersey, and built two mills on the premises 
now owned by Mr. B. A. Weatherbee, about one-half 
mile north of this village, in the town of Warren. 
One of the mills was built on the upper dam, on what 
is known as the " trout jpondP Portions of this dam 
still remain. 

One year previous to the date of Schuyler's patent, 
Konrath Mattes secured a patent of one thousand acres, 
lying directly east of Tunnicliff's purchase, and embraced 
the greater portion of our present village, as will be 
seen by the following communication : — 

" Richfield Springs, May 1, 1873. 

" W. T. Bailey : 

" Dear Sir — In reply to your request for a biograph- 
ical sketch of my grandfather, Nathan Dow, and for such 



22 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

information as may have come within my knowledge as 
regards the early settlers in this region, and the original 
owners of the land (the present site of the village of Rich- 
field Springs), I have the pleasure to give you the facts 
as I find them from an examination of old deeds and 
papers in my possession, and from the accounts which I 
have heard my grandfather from time to time give of his 
early life. Nathan Dow traced his descent from the 
elder of two brothers, who arrived in Boston in June, 1635. 
His father settled in Windham County, Conn., where 
E'athan was born. He was yet a boy of fourteen years, 
when the stirring news from Lexington and Bunker Hill 
sent a thrill of sorrow and rage throughout the length 
and breadth of the land. The State of Connecticut 
poured forth her full proportion of hardy yeomanry to 
man the lines around Boston, while among the few that 
remained at home, the project was conceived of surpris- 
ing Ticonderoga, a fortified post on the western shore of 
Lake Champlain. 

" They communicated their design to Col. Ethan 
Allen ; and a body of men, among whom was Nathan 
Dow, as yet only a boy, enrolled their names among the 
Green Mountain boys, and hastened to Ticonderoga. 

" More than once have I heard my grandfather quote 
the words of Col. Allen as he heard them, when asked 
by the commander of the fort, by whose authority he 
demanded its surrender. ' In the name,' said Allen, ' of 
the Great Jehovah, and Continental Congress.' 

" But I do not propose to follow Nathan Dow through 
the war of the Eevolution. It laill be sufficient to say 
that he served with distinction, and that when peace was 
declared, he returned to his home, carrying with him 
many honorable scars received in this desperate struggle 
for liberty and independence. After his marriage he 



HISTORY. 23 

settled in Yoluntown, Conn., and devoted his time to 
agriculture, until the year 1800. In the summer of this 
year, having paid a visit to this region, accompanied by 
his wife, the journey being made on horseback, he deter- 
mined to make this his future residence, and in 1802 
made his first pm'chase. He lived in his new home long 
enough to see a great portion of the country cleared, 
and a thriving village grow up on his well-cultivated 
farms. And when, in 1841, he was gathered to his fath- 
ers, he left behind an unsullied name, and a reputation 
respected for integrity, firmness, and liberality. 

" In regard to the original ownership of the lands in 
this vicinity, I find that in 1754, letters patent were 
issued, as the document expresses itself, ' by his most 
Catholic Majesty of Great Britain and the realm, King 
George the Second, defender of the faith, granting unto 
Konrath Mattes, yeoman, a certain tract of land, situ- 
ate, lying, and being in the County of Albany, Province 
of 'New York, on the south side of the Mohawk River, at 
a certain lake called by the Indians, Can-ja-da-ra-go.' 
(I would remark here, that the name belongs only to the 
lake, and not to the Indians.) 

" This region belonged, as far as the division of the 
country was concerned, among the ' Iroquois,' to the 
Five ]S"ations, one tribe of which, the ^ Oneidas,^ ranged 
through this section. I might further say, that as we 
adopt local Indian names only because they are Indian, 
it would be wise, in naming our streets and public build- 
ings, to continue the proper orthography and pronunci- 
ation. Bounding Mattes' patent on the north was Young's 
patent, on the west Schuyler's patent or purchase, as it 
was called. The present corporation is, I believe, con- 
fined to these three grants, the greater portion, however, 
being on Mattes' patent. A subject that may interest the 



24 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

operators in real estate, is the consideration then paid aa 
the property changed hands. 

" The first consideration paid by Mattes was ' one 
harley-corn'' for one thousand acres. This patent was 
divided into ten lots of one hundred acres each. It is 
npon lots No. 6, 7, 8, and 9, that the present village 
stands, with part of lot ]^o. 1 of Schuyler's patent, and a 
narrow strip of Young's patent, which lies mainly in 
Herkimer County. In 1771, Mattes deeded to Deobald 
Zimmerman, for five shillings sterling, 133 acres 1 rood 
and 13 perches of land, being all of lot !No. 8, and \ of 
lot ]N"o. 6. In the same year. Mattes for the consideration 
of 80 pounds sterling, deeded to Franz Freba lots No. 7 
and 9, and f of lot No. 6, in all 266 acres 2 roods and 
28 perches of land. Franz Freba, in 1791, purchased 
from the heirs of Zimmerman the \ of lot No. 6, and lot 
No. 8, for 80 pounds sterling. In this deed the land is 
described as being in the district and County of Cooper. 
Thus we see that in 1791, Franz Freba owned lots No. 6, 7, 
8, 9. In 1802, F. Treba sold to Nathan Dow, for $1200 
(silver), 40 acres in lot No. 8, 50 acres in No. 7, and 30 
acres in lot No. 6. In 1803, 8 acres in lot No. 8 for $80. 
In 1810, Nathan Dow bought of Walter Waterman, 
who had purchased from Franz Freba, 50 acres ; part of 
this was in Young's patent, and a small part of lot No. 6. 
In 1817, Nathan Dow bought of George Freba (son of 
Franz), for $2500 (silver), 79 acres 2 roods and 17 perches, 
part of which is in lot No. 6. In this deed the property 
is described as being in the town of Kichfield,^ Otsego 
County. Thus, in 1817, we find that Nathan Dow 
owned 257 acres of the original sale of Mattes to Freba, 

* This is the first record of the name of this township that I 
have been able to find. The origin of the nameis unknown to the 
writer. 



HISTORY. 25 

for which he had paid $4480. The original cost to 
Freba for 400 acres being about $800, or, in other words, 
the property had increased in value from $2 to $19.50 
per acre in forty-six years. Without reference to the 
papers filed in the office of the Secretary of State in 
Albany, it is impossible to get the exact boundaries of 
these lots, but from some fixed points mentioned in the 
deeds, we know that the larger portion of the present 
village stands upon lot No. 6 of Mattes' patent. 

"In connection with this matter, I shall take this 
opportunity to allude to one fact relating to the Sulphur 
Spring. Nathan Dow, at a very early day, looked for- 
ward to the time when the Spring would become a great 
public benefit, and he often and positively stated both in 
his family and to his personal friends, that when the 
Spring passed from his possession, he should so dispose 
of it that it should ever remain free and open to all. 
Why this arrangement failed to be consummated, I am 
unable to state ; nor do I wish to discuss the question of 
the policy of making it a free spring, but merely to say 
that he retained at least one old-fashioned idea that seems 
at the present day to be almost entirely lost, namely, that 
it was the duty of every man to contribute something 
for the public good. 

" This idea led him to present to this town a cemetery 
for the benefit of the general public, and building sites, 
at least two, for churches. So he desired to present the 
Sulphur Spring to the j>6(9j?Z<?. In bringing my letter to 
a close, I can only regret that the information conveyed 
is so meagre; but, taken in connection with facts pro- 
cured from other sources, I trust it may assist you in 
your forthcoming history of Richfield Springs and sur- 
roundings, Yery truly yours, 

^' L. D. Gould, H.D." 



26 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

In the year 1T83, John Tunnicliff, Jr., came to this 
country from England, and located at Albany as goldsmith, 
his former employment. He remained there but a few 
months, when he purchased a ferm about one mile south 
of Little Lakes, in the town of Warren, which he con- 
tinued to occupy until his death in 1814. Ilis family 
consisted of seven sons and five daughters. Joseph 
Tunnicliff, of Warren, is now the only surviving son. 
His son, William Tunnicliff, erected a store near his 
father's residence, where he conducted a successful trade 
for many years, and died in 1836, leaving an ample 
fortune to his six children, some of whom are now resi- 
dents of this village. 

At the time of the surrender of General Burgoyne to 
General Gates, at Saratoga, in 1777, all the camp-furni- 
ture, together with the immense quantities of military 
stores of the British, fell into the hands of the victorious 
Americans. After the close of the war, many of these 
articles were sold, and John Tunnicliff, Jr., purchased a 
large copper camp-kettle, which is now in the possession 
of Mr. Horatio Tunniclifi*, who owns and occupies the 
estate of his grandfather near Little Lcikes. 

As previously intimated, William Tunnicliff became 
the first permanent resident of this place in 1791, and 
erected a dwelling on the site now occupied by the resi- 
dence of Mr. John Dana. Many of his descendants are 
now residents of this village. Lie also built a public 
house on the hill, where now stands the residence of Mr. 
Yedder Cole ; and it was kept by Israel Rawson. Cyrus 
Kobinson kept the first store, which stood near the creek, 
and James S. Palmer taught the first school at Eichfield 
Springs. The first school-house in the town of Richfield 
was made of logs, and stood near the present residence 
of Mr. William Hopkinson. 



HISTORY. 27 

In the orchard of Mr. Hopkinson is an ancient apple- 
tree, that is called " The Indian Tree." It was known 
to the earliest settlers previous to the Revolution. Is 
either a spontaneous growth, or was set there by the 
Indians more than a century ago. It has never failed to 
bear fruit annually, which is said to keep sound and good for 
one year and more. A few rods to the north of this tree in 
the adjoining field is an oblong mound, supposed to be the 
grave of some celebrated Indian chieftain, as the Oneidas 
were wont to visit it annually and encamp around it, threat- 
ening vengeance on any one that should dare to molest its 
hidden treasure, and it remains undisturbed to this day. 

The great Indian trail from the Mohawk Yalley to 
the Canadarago led close by this mound and apple-tree. 
About the time that William Tunniclitf settled at Rich- 
field Springs, Obadiah Beardsley emigrated from Rens- 
selaer County, and located first on the western shore of 
the lake near Herkimer Creek, thence to the western part 
of the town of Richfield, about one mile northwest from 
Monticello.* 

Judge Levi Beardsley, in his Reminiscences of Otsego, 
says : '' I was about four years old in 1790, when my grand- 
father, father, and two brothers removed from Iloosick. 
We started with a cart and one or two wagons drawn by 
oxen and horses, and drove a few cattle, sheep, and hogs. 
Myself and a sister two years old were stowed away 
among the furniture, aud our mother with a sick infant 
was left behind. We crossed the Mohawk near Fonda 
and went to Canajoharie, thence by the old ' Continental 
Road ' toward Springfield. At night we stopped at the 

* The first marriage in the town of Richfield, was that of Eben- 
ezer Russell to Miss More, in 1795. This wedding took place at the 
house of Obadiah Eeardsley, and the ceremony was performed by 
Judge Cooper, of Cooperstown, and father of the celebrated novelist 
James Fenimore Cooper. 



28 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

house of Conradt Seeber. They were out of bread, and 
could get none at Seeber's or of his neighbors, but were 
compelled to make a meal of potatoes. The next day 
we went three miles with teams, and then left some of 
the wagons, as the roads w^ere very bad. My father put 
a saddle on one of the horses, and on another packed a bed 
and bedding, on w^hich the (servant) girl was to ride. I was 
placed on the horse behind my father, on a pillow tied 
to the saddle, with a strap under my arms buckled around 
his waist to prevent me from falling off, and carrying my 
sister before him w^e proceeded on our journey, the girl 
riding the other horse on top of bed and bedding, and a 
yearling colt tagging after. We proceeded to the foot 
of Schuyler's Lake, where we had hired the ' Herkimer 
Farm^ on which was a small clearing before the war, 
and two log-huts." After planting corn, Mr. Beardsley 
returned for his w4fe, w^ho came on horseback on a man's 
saddle, and carried the child, Mr. B. walking beside them. 
During the summer they cut a road to their own land in 
Richfield, and put up two log-huts, a short distance apart, 
and covered them with poles and bark. The floors were 
of logs split and hewn, and the chimneys were of sticks 
and mud. 

Mr. Beardsley was the first magistrate in this town. 
He was the father of the late Samuel Beardsley, a distin- 
guished lawyer of Utica, and also of Hon. Levi Beardsley, 
of New York, author of " Beardsley 's Reminiscences." 

Their sister, the widow of the late Judge Hyde, is at 
present the only survivor of her father's family, and now 
resides with her son-in-law, Hdn. A. R. Elwood, of this 
village. 

Obadiah Beardsley died in 1841, and was buried at 
Richfield Springs. Four 3'oung and vigorous maples, 
planted by his own hands, now shade his grave in the 



HISTORY. 29 

village cemetery. The first village settlement in the 
town of Richfield was made at Brighton, about the com- 
mencement of the present century. In the year 180S, 
the Great "Western turnpike was extended westward from 
Cherry Yalley to Brighton, and between this place and 
Albany, a distance of sixty-eight miles, there were in, 
1810 seventy-two public houses or inns, and these were 
nightly filled by emigrants on their way west, and also 
by the farmers of this region, as Albany was the chief 
market for their wheat and other farm produce.* 
Brighton was at one time a flourishing village, with four 
stores, one grocery, and two public houses. The first post- 
office in town was established at this place in 1817, 
Jonathan Morgan postmaster. It remained at Brighton 
sixteen years, when it was removed to Monticello or 
Richfield, where it still remains. Jonathan Morgan 
emigrated from Colchester, Connecticut, in 1816. He was a 
soldier of the Revolution. He received the appointment 
of justice of the peace in 1818, and held the office ten 
years. He had three sons and three daughters. His son 
N^elson Morgan was elected justice of the peace in 1846, 
and still holds the office. When the turnpike was being 
opened through the forest where the village of Richfield 
Springs now stands, a man by the name of House was 
killed by the caving of the bank directly opposite the 
residence of Mr. F. Bronner, on Main Street. The site 
of the village at this time was covered by a dense growth 
of gigantic pines and hemlocks. So thickly set were the 
trees, says an old settler, that it was almost impossible to 
pass between them in some places. 

Monticello, near the centre of the township, is a 

* It will be remembered that this was previous to the construction 
of the Erie Canal, when this turnpike was the great line of emigra- 
tion west from the New England States. 



30 RICHFIELD SPEINGS AND VICINITY. 

pleasant country village, with about three hundred 
inhabitants. It is situated about three miles west of the 
Springs, and was at one time the place of residence of 
the parents of Rev. E. H. Chapin, of New York. The 
first public house at Monticello was kept by Jacob 
Brewster, about 1797, and the first store was opened by 
Whitman Randall in 1798. The State Gazetteer says 
" settlements were made in this town prior to the Rev- 
olution, but they were broken up during the war. The 
first settlers after the war were Seth Allen, Richard and 
William Pray, John Beardsley, Joseph Coats, and John 
Kimball in 1784." Still later, John Woodbury, Selden 
Churchill,'^' and others, settled at or near Monticello. 
David Taft emigrated from Richmond, New Hampshire, 
in 1795, and settled at Monticello. He was the father of 
Mr. David Taft, of Ilion, and Mrs. Sally Martin, of this 
place. 

" The first church society, Protestant Episcopal, was 
formed at Monticello, May 20, 1799. Rev. Daniel Nash 
was the pastor." The first church built at this place was 
accidentally burned in the month of April, 1822. The 
Baptist church was built in 1824, and the Episcopal in 
1832. The village is surrounded by a rich agricultural 
district, and is a place of considerable trade. 

For unknown ages previous to the commencement 
of the present century, the quiet intervale that is now 
occupied by our pleasant village was hidden far from 
the face of civilization, and known only to the sons of 
the forest as a resort for the use of the " Medicine 
Waters," that their faith applied to all the ills of their 
numerous tribes. At the summit of a gently rising 
eminence, in the midst of shrubbery, and overshadowed 
by the lofty and majestic branches of the fir and pine, 
* Father of Dr. Cliurcliill of Utica. 



HISTORY. 31 

there issued forth from beneath the roots of a gigantic 
tree a crystal mineral fountain of life and health. About 
three hundred rods to the south of this fountain was a 
romantic and beautiful lake, silentl}^ sleeping in a quiet 
valley, skirted on either side by heavily wooded Alpine 
ranges, whose giant forest-trees were boldly reflected in 
the deep blue waters, that were disturbed only by the 
screaming waterfowl or the light canoe of the Ked Man, 
as he glided swiftly over its silvery surface. The elk, 
moose, and timid deer drank from its silent waters, in 
the wild solitudes of the primeval forest. Two wood- 
covered islands rested within the bosom of this pictur- 
esque lake, one of which has since disappeared, and, as 
tradition says, " the last of a once powerful tribe, the 
Canadaragos, sank with it far beneath its dark waters." 

Who can tell the number of years that have passed 
away since this beautiful lake was iirst called into being, 
or how man}'- cloudless nights have the moon and stars been 
mirrored in its placid depths ? More than three-fourths 
of a century has passed away since the first settlers were 
attracted to this locality as permanent residents. With 
the discovery of the mineral springs, and their prepara- 
tion for public use by Dr. Manley in 1820, this village 
dates its birth as a watering-place. The efficacy of these 
waters was soon found to be remarkably potent in the 
treatment of m.any forms of disease, and w^ith every 
returning season from the above date, the number of 
visitors to the place was gradually augmented. The 
value of real estate slowly enhanced from year to year ; 
and by 1830, Eichfield Springs became the centre of an 
extensive local trade. The growth of the village, and its 
increasing popularity as a summer resort, will be seen in 
the history of the hotels and other local institutions. 



ojS kichfield spkings and vicinity. 

EAKLY SETTLERS AND EEMIOTSCENCES 
NEAE THE LAKE. 

The Derthick family, consisting of the father, John 
Derthick, and mother, five sons, and three daughters, 
emigrated from the town of Colchester, Connecticut, in 
the spring of 1793, arriving in Eichfield in June. The 
entire household goods of the family were transported in 
an ox-cart drawn by a pair of oxen and a single horse. 
The party arrived in the afternoon, and encamped on 
a slight eminence, the site of the house now owned 
and occupied by John Derthick, Jr., a grandson. On the 
following morning it was determined to begin a clearing 
on this spot, and to erect a log-house, which w^as accord- 
ingly done, and the family moved in on the fourth day 
from the time of arrival. This house was occupied until 
1808, when the present frame house was built, and the 
family resided in it until 1811, when the father died, and 
the family dispersed, leaving John Derthick, afterwards 
known to many of our first inhabitants as Colonel 
Derthick, who resided on the farm until the spring of 
ISGO, wlien he died at the age of seventy-six, leaving one 
son and two daughters. The farm is still in possession 
of the family. An incident showing the great deprecia- 
tion in value of the Federal paper money of the Ee vo- 
lution, some three or four thousand dollars of which was 
brought from Connecticut by the family, is that seven 
hundred dollars of it was given for a pair of common 
flat or smoothing irons, 

Conrad House, with his family, resided during the 
Eevolution about one and a half miles east of the Springs, 
on the *' great-western trail " from Albany. This trail 
did not pass over the ground now occupied by Eichfield 



EARLY SETTLERS NEAR THE LAKE. 33 

Springs, but kept straight through from the two little 
lakes, to a place afterwards known as Federal Corners, 
near the Canadarago, thence deflecting from the southern 
trail across the lowlands at the head of the lake to Fish 
Creek, which it crossed, leaving the present site of the 
village on the north. Mr. House's cabin * stood at the 

junction of this trail with the turnpike afterwards 
built. During the Revolution, when the hostile bands of 
Indians were scouting the country south of the Mohawk, 
a party visited the cabin of House, who with his wife 
escaped to the woods, leaving in the hands of the savages 
a daughter of thirteen, wdio was carried off, and nothing 
was heard of her for several years, when she made her 
appearance, having escaped from the Indians, bringing 
with her a daughter, the fruits of a distasteful marriage 
with the Indian who had captured her. She had named 
the child Mary ^'' MantonP Mary had inherited the 
more prominent features of the Indian, straight black 
hair, black eyes, and high Q^v^^-hones. She was well 
known to the first settlers, and continued to make this 
section her home till 1812, when she disappeared. In 
the summer of 1795, Freedom Chamberlin and wife, two 
sons and one daughter, removed from the town of Col- 
chester, Connecticut, to Eichfield, and for a time lived in 
a log-house w^hich stood near the Lake House, but a short 
distance south of the house of John Derthick. This log- 
house and its little surrounding conveniences was origin- 
ally built and occupied for a time by a Frenchman who 
had taken an Indian wife, and was one of several of his 
countrymen who had adopted the same course. They were 
supposed to have passed from the Canadas through the 
great intervening forests, and settled on the banks of the 
Canadarago, as a spot most suited to their desires, abound- 

* This log-cabin stood near the present residence of Martin Ooes. 



34 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

ing with all the most valuable fur-bearing animals, which 
included the otter, the beaver, the stone-marten, and 
others previously mentioned. It was a spot but little 
frequented at the time by the whites, and for the hardy 
forester only three days journey to the city of Albany by 
the great Indian trail, w4iere was found a good market 
for their peltries, and where could be obtained every 
article necessary to a life in the wilderness. Mr. Cooper, 
in his " Pioneers," mentions this settlement as a number 
of Frenchmen, who had married Indian women, and 
occupied a section of territory a little to the west of the 
Otsego Lake. They had disappeared, however, a short 
time before the arrival of the permanent settlers men- 
tioned. Mr. Cbamberlin and his family continued to 
reside in this log-house till the frame house now owned 
by the family of Hon. Alfred Chamberlin, a grandson 
(lately deceased), was erected, when the family took 
possession, and the cabin of the Frenchman was allowed 
to go to decay. Among the numbers who came to this 
country from the valley of the Connecticut, was an 
Indian, far past the meridian of life, named or was called 
Captain John, and his son known as Sam Brushell, but 
whose real name was *' The P anther ^^ lured to this then 
far-off region by rumors of a beautiful country of lakes, 
hills, and numerous streams teeming with fish and game 
of all descriptions. Their wigwam was located on the 
Tunnicliff lands, near the head of the lake known as 
" Old Fields^'' and now owned by Harvey Layton. 

Indian John was an " old scalper " and friend of the 
British during the Revolution. His time during his res- 
idence here, was almost incessantly occupied in hunting 
and fishing, and the sharp click of his rifle could be 
heard almost daily, echoing through the mountain for- 
ests in this immediate vicinity. 



EARLY SETTLERS NEAR THE LAKE. 35 

His wigwam was well stored wTtli a great variety of 
furs, and the game on which he principally subsisted. 
He was finally drowned in the Canadarago^ by tlie 
upsetting of his bark canoe, near the island. His body 
was recovered, however, and buried in the little hill 
nearly in front of the Lake House, but afterwards removed 
by students of Dr, J. L. Palmer ; which fact becoming 
suspected by the Indians living in Oneida, a large dele- 
gation made their appearance at the lake, and after a 
solemn smoke, prepared to open the grave of Cap- 
tain John. At this moment, Mr. Freedom Chamberlin 
appeared on the ground and forbade any interference 
Math the grave, as it was located on his land. He well 
knew that had the Indians become certain that the 
body had been removed, their threats toward Dr. Palmer 
would certainly have been carried out. It was much 
wondered at, at the time, that the Indians were induced 
to respect the authority of Mr. Chamberlin, and leave the 
ground undisturbed. 

Captain John was an old man when he died, and 
always deported himself in a quiet and orderly maimer 
for one whose early years had been associated with the 
most fiendish acts of savage barbarity. Immediately 
after his death, his son, " The Panther," returned to the 
valley of the Connecticut, where he remained but a few 
years, when he returned to the grave of his father, and 
built a wigwam on the Chamberlin farm, in the thicket 
of hemlocks and tall pines noticed as we pass from the 
Springs to the Lake House, on the east side, and near 
the road where it first enters the wood. He made 
frequent visits to the Connecticut, and on one of his 
returns brought with him a small fish, dried and entire, 
which he exhibited to his friends, holding it on the palm 
of his hand, and repeating, with an expression of good 



36 KICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY, 

humor upon his countenance, the familiar homily " as 
flat as a flounderP The fish was a flounder, a salt- 
water fish, never seen in this section, and he took this 
way to illustrate the comparison " as flat as a flounder," 
and at the same time to allude to his original home near 
the sea. 

The spot where the Panther's "^ cabin stood is still 
pointed out, and is now in the same condition in which 
he left it. A large stone used by him as a sort of anvil, 
on which he beat out the black-ash splints used in mak- 
ing baskets and ornaments, still stands where he placed 
it. The Panther was a trusty Indian, and his neigh- 
bors did not hesitate to let their children accompany 
him to his cabin, where they would be treated to a dish 
of capital chowder, and safely returned to their homes, 
the happy possessors of nice bows and arrows. 

He took the liberty to cut any timber he wanted, 
no matter where it stood, or whose land it was on, 
regarding it as his right, as a native of the forest^ to 
appropriate its products to his own use. He had an 
idea that his property, no matter where he left it, was 
safe from intruders, and it is certain no one ever med- 
dled the second time with his personal eftccts, if he 
found it out. At one time he followed a party of two, 
who had taken his canoe to the Island, and immediately 
proceeded to manifest his indignation by beating them 
unmercifully with the paddle, and left them on the 
Island to get off the best way they could. On another 
occasion, Mr. Olcott Chamberlin, son of Freedom Cham- 
berlin, took the Indian's boat to fish by torch-light. 
The torch is placed in the bow of the boat, and elevated 
four or five feet above the water, and sustained by an 
iron jack or light-iron, which is filled with pieces of pitch 
* The Pantlier had an Indian wife and daughter. 



EARLY SETTLERS NEAR THE LAKE. 37 

pine, and the fisherman stands near and facing the light, 
which is so strong as to reveal the smallest objects in the 
water at the bottom to the depth of four or five feet. 
Mr. C. had arranged his tackle and was sailing qui- 
etly along a short distance from land, when he was or- 
dered by a grufi" voice from the bank of the lake, " Come^ 
shore my hoat^"^ a command not immediately heeded 
by the fisherman. A moment after, the pine sticks 
were scattered in a blazing shower about his head, by a 
bullet from the rifie of the Indian, the report of which 
echoed far away over the waters of the lake. This argu- 
ment was sufiicient ; Mr. Chamberlin immediately re- 
turned to the shore with the Indian's boat. 

The Panther went on one of his accustomed visits to 
the Connecticut about the year 1846, since which time 
nothing is known of him. lie was no doubt a Mohegan, 
one of the family of " Uncas," and in proof of this he 
showed the figure of the turtle tattooed upon his breast. 
It is well known that this region witnessed its share of 
the fierce encounters between the early settlers and hos- 
tile bands of savages at the time of the Revolution, as it 
was in direct line from the Mohawk to the Upper Sus- 
quehanna. 

One of these border fights was located by the earliest 
settlers, on the northeast shore of Lake Canadarago. It 
was related that a small party of whites were journeying 
up the east side of the lake, and on nearing the " Indian 
burying-ground," * near the Lake House, suddenly 
became aware that a party of hostile Indians occupied 
the landing at that place. The whites had succeeded 

* Tlie elevated ridge or field nearly opposite the Lake House was 
filled with Indian graves at the time of the earliest settlement of this 
region, and had doubtless been their burying-place for centuries. 
Many of the graves were marked by stones until recently. 



38 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

in reaching the little brook which enters the lake at 
the landing, when they were Hred upon from the oppo- 
site bank on the north. They immediately sought 
cover behind the little tongue of highland that bor- 
ders the creek on the south, and the day was spent in 
exchanging occasional shots with the savages across the 
bed ol the stream. At nightfall the tiring ceased, 
and the whites were only aware of the retreat of the 
Indians when their camp-fire was discovered directly 
across the lake. The Indians had travelled around 
the head of the lake, and had incautiously built a camp- 
lire, so that it was immediately discovered. At an early 
hour the whites hurried down the lake, on the back track 
to the usual crossing-place on the Oaks Creek, near 
where the road now crosses it, and concealed themselves 
in the bushes bordering the stream, rightly conjecturing 
that the Indians would pass down the west side of the 
lake, cross the creek, and attempt lo surprise them in the 
rear. They had waited but a short time in their ambush, 
when the Indians made their appearance on the opposite 
side of the stream, and attem])ted to cross, but were met 
by a volley which killed two outright and wounded sev- 
eral others, when the Indiansfled, carrying their wounded 
with them. The whites secured their guns and other 
arms, and buried the bodies of the two savages by caving 
a portion of the steep bank of the creek upon them, when 
they proceeded on their journey to Fort Plain on the 
Mohawk River. 

An account of this fight was related by Thomas Yan 
Horn,"^ one of the party. He was known as " long 
Tom Yan Horn," who held a captain's commission dur- 
ing the Revolution, and participated in the battle of 
Oriskany. Immediately after the close of the war he 

* Grandfather of Philip Van Horn, of this village. 



EARLY SETTLERS NEAR THE LAKE. 39 

settled near the headwaters of the Otsqnago Creek, in 
the town of Stark, Herkimer County, now Yan-Horn- 
ville. In 1813, he removed to a farm on the hill, about 
one mile east of Canadarago Lake, the farm recently 
owned by Mr. Philip Yan Horn, where he died March 
1st, 1844, aged ninety-eight years. 

Portions of the ridges and banks near the lake bear 
unmistakable evidence of their occupancy by the Indians, 
to the present day. When the road leading from the 
Springs and intersecting the old road, just below the 
Lake House, was built, the skeletons of two Indians were 
found while grading for the bridge near the Lake House. 
The bodies were inclosed in hemlock bark, and wdth 
them were found two iron tomahawks ; and when the 
path or gravel-walk leading from the Lake House to 
the shore of the lake was graded, an entire skeleton 
was found, with a great variety of Indian beads and 
other ornaments. In a cultivated field near the head of 
the lake, there was recently found a large quantity of 
flint arrow-heads, about one-fourth bushel, in a perfect 
state, concealed just below the surface of the ground. 
Also a stone pestle, once used by the Indians, to pulver- 
ize their corn. These are now in the possession of Mr. 
J. F. Getman, of this village. 

On what is known as " Oak Kidge," on the west 
shore of the lake, one-half mile from the head, are 
several places w^here innumerable pieces of flint scales 
are scattered around, and flint arrow-heads entire, and 
others in process of forming, but broken by an unlucky 
blow of the manufacturer, are often picked up by the 
careful observer. And considerable quantities of mussel- 
shells, far above high-water mark, seem to indicate the 
location of a wigwam, and the probable use for food of 
these shell-fish, with which the lake abounds. 



40 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITV. 

The high ground on the east side of O.-iks Creek, 
near the bridge that now crosses it, was once an Indian 
*' burving-groiind.-' When the road at this point was 
graded, about 1810, a number of Indian skeletons were 
unearthed, and over their faces flat stones were found, 
pierced with holes corresponding with the position of 
the eyes ; and over these holes was placed a transparent 
substance resembling mica, through which the dead 
were supposed to see their way through the mythical 
hunting-grounds of the spirit world. 



EAELY INCIDENTS. 



In the year 1778, Richard Wooleber living in a log- 
cabin soutli of Fort Herkimer in the town of German 
Flats, was at work in his woods on Shoemaker Ilill, cutting 
timber, when he was discovered by a party of savages, 
who captured him, and immediately proceeded to inflict 
the most cruel tortures. 

He was finally knocked down by a blow from a 
tomahawk, and scalped twice while insensible. Not sat- 
isfied with this, a hatchet was struck deep into his head, 
and he was left for dead. This occurred in the early part 
of the day. Not returning as usual in the afternoon, 
search was made for him. 

Towards evening he recovered consciousness, and 
attempted to return to his home, but in consequence of 
the loss of blood from the wounds in his head, was too 
much exhausted to do so. Seeing his horse near by, he 
crawled up to him on his hands and knees, and leading 
him to the stump of a tree, attempted to get on his back, 
but was too weak to accomplish this, and was about 
resigning himself to his fate, when he was discovered by 



EARLY INCIDENTS. 41 

his friends and taken to his cabin.* He subsequently 
removed to the town of Columbia, where he lived many 
years after this occurrence, but the wound in his head 
never entirely healed, and was ultimately the cause of 
his death. 

Mr. George Lighthall occupied a cabin a short dis- 
tance to the south of where Mr. Wooleber afterwards 
lived, in South Columbia. He was out in the woods about 
sundown in the latter part of October, 1779, looking for 
his cows, when he discovered a large party of Indians 
approaching but a short distance away. He at once fled, 
closely pursued by the savages, with yells of exultation 
as they momentarily gained on their supposed victim, 
who plunged into the hollow of a prostrate pine-tree, 
unseen by his bloodthirsty^ followers. He had with him 
a little black dog, who seemed to fully realize their 
imminent danger, as he crept close beside his* master, 
trembling with fear. Mr. Lighthall now feared the dog 
would reveal their hiding-place by barking, should the 
Indians approach them, and immediately took out his 
pocket-knife for the purpose of cutting liis throa-t, when 
he heard the tread of the Indians' feet on the log over his 
head. He therefore desisted, but held the mouth of the 
dog firmly in his hands for a few moments, as he listened 
to the receding footsteps of his enemies, when all was 
again silent. Although his pursuers had passed entirely 
away in the direction of the Mohawk, he remained in his 
place of concealment until nearly midnight, when he 
ventured out, trembling lest they might be still watching 
for his appearance. He succeeded, however, in reaching 
his home in safety. This circumstance took place on 
the border of the south side of the Wooleber swamp, 

* It is said that wlien first seen by his friends, he was sitting on 
the stump, and so much disfigured by his blood and wounds, that he 
was not at first recognized. (J. Skinner) 



42 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

Abraham Lighthall lived in a cabin a few rods to the 
south of his brother George, on the east bank of Mink 
Creek, near where the railroad now crosses that stream, 
and near the ^''Indian apple-tree,^^ When the war of 
the Kevolution broke out, he enlisted as a private sol- 
dier, and served through the entire war, participating in 
many battles, escaping with but two wounds. 

He was in that division of the army under Washington 
that passed the severe winter of 1778 at Yalley Forge, 
and endured the most intense sufferings. Of the trials 
of Yalley Forge, Mr. Headley says : " What thoughts 
and emotions are awakened at the mention of that name. 
Sympathy and admiration, pity and love, tears and 
smiles chase each other in rapid succession as one in 
imagination goes over the history of that wintrj^ en- 
campment. Never before was there such an exhibition 
of the triumph of patriotism over neglect and want ; 
of principle over physical sufferings ; of virtue over the 
pangs of starvation. 

" Those tattered, half-clad and barefoot soldiers, wan 
with want, taking their slow march for the wintry forest, 
leaving their bloody testimonials on every foot of the 
frozen ground they traversed, furnish one of the sublim- 
est scenes in history." On one occasion, as Mr. Light- 
hall was returning home from the lake with his dog and 
gun, upon arriving at a spring in the forest,* he discov- 
ered a huge black bear, apparently clinging to the trunk 
of a large tree, but entirely motionless. Supposing the 
monster to be watching his movements with no very 
good design, Mr. Lighthall took deliberate aim and fired; 
but Bruin did not condescend to move or change his 
position in the least. Mr. Lighthall now advanced and 

* This spring can now be seen nearthe residence of Mr. Alison 
Orendorf. 



EARLY INCIDENTS. 43 

fired again with the same result. Upon approaching 
still nearer, he discovered that the bear was dead. It 
appears that a small sapling that stood near the large 
tree, had been cut off about ten feet from the ground 
while bent over, and springing back to its original 
position, had impaled the animal by penetrating his 
body, in his rapid descent from the tree, causing, no 
doubt, an extremely painful death. Mr. Lighthall had 
two daughters, who married and removed to the Western 
States. He continued to reside near this village until 
the 31st of December, 1831, when he died at the age 
of ninety-six, and was buried near the old Methodist 
chapel in Warren, where his grave can now be seen. 

On one occasion, while Mrs. Abraham Lighthall was 
sitting alone in her house, her attention was attracted to 
the back yard by an unusual noise, when upon opening 
the door she saw a large black bear leap from a small 
enclosure, with a pig in his affectionate embrace, and 
was devouring the porker notwithstanding his persistent 
musical resistance. 

Without a moment's hesitation, Mrs. Lighthall seized 
a sharp axe that happened to be at hand, aud approaching 
his majesty from the rear, dealt him a severe blow in 
the head with the sharp edge of the weapon, killing him 
almost instantly ; a feat that few ladies at the present 
day would venture to attempt. 

When Mrs. Lighthall was one hundred and six years 
old (in 1836), she left this town in company with her 
son-in-law, to spend the remainder of her days with her 
daughter in the State of Michigan. When on board the 
steamboat at Buffalo, the captain, in consideration of 
her extreme old age, presented her with a free passage 
across Lake Erie ; and for the amusement of the pas- 
sengers, she danced on the deck of the vessel to the 



4A: RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

music of a violin in possession of one of the party. 
During a visit to Michigan in 1839, John W. TunniclifF, 
of this place, an old friend and former neighbor, called 
on Mrs. Lighthall, now one hundred and nine, and in 
course of conversation, asked if she did not think of a 
second marriage ? With an expression of the most 
artless earnestness, she replied, " Well, I have given the 
subject some serious consideration ; but the fact is, Mr. 
Tunnicliff, I cannot bear the idea of raising another 
family of children." Mrs. Lighthall lived until 1840, 
and died at the age of one hundred and ten years. 

Captain Henry Eckler,* late of Warren, Herkimer 
County, was out with a friend in the summer of 1781, in 
the vicinity of Fort Herkimer, and unexpectedly fell in 
with Brant and a party of his warriors. 

The chief, who was well acquainted with Captain 
Eckler, addressed him by name, and asked him if he 
would surrender himself his prisoner. " Kot by a d — d 
sight, as long as I have legs to run ! '• and suiting the 
action to the word, he turned and fled at the top of his 
speed, and his companion with him. The surprise took 
place near a piece of woods, into which the fugitives ran, 
pursued by a band of yelling savages. Eckler had pro- 
ceeded but a little distance in the woods, when he found 
it would be impossible for him to run far with the speed 
requisite for his escape by flight; and passing over a 
knoll which hid him from the observation of his pursu- 
ers, he entered, head first, a cavity at the root of a wind- 
fallen tree. He found its depth insufficient, however, to 
conceal his whole person, and like a young ostrich or 
partridge, that, with its head concealed, feels secure, if it 

* Mr. Eckler received a captain's commission from the Provincial 
Congress, and this commission is now in the possession of Mr. John 
Eckler, of Warren. It is dated May ISth, 1776. 



EARLY INCIDENTS. ^5 



remains still, he resolved to keep silence and trust to 
Providence for the issue. The party pursuing soon 
arrived upon the knoll, and halted almost over him to 
catch another glimpse of his retiring form. But they 
looked in vain ; and while they stood there, and he 
heard their conversation, he expected every moment 
would be his last ; as he was sure, if his foes looked down, 
they could not fail to see at least one-half of his person. 
He thought, as he afterwards told his friends, that had 
Brant, who also came upon the bank above him while he 
was thus concealed, but listened, he must have heard his 
heart beat, as it felt in his breast like the thumping of a 
hammer. Supposing Eckler had fled in an opposite 
direction, his pursuers overlooked his place of conceal- 
ment, and expressing to each other their snrprise at his 
sudden exit, and declaring that a spirit had helped him 
escape, they withdrew, when he backed out of his hiding- 
place, and regained his home in safety. 

"His comrade also efiected his escape uninjured, 
although he had a long and strong race for his liberty." 
{Border Wars of New York.) 

In the above adventure, Captain Eckler, in making 
his escape, plunged through a hedge of prickly-thorn 
trees, and the Indians, being nearly naked, feared to fol- 
low in the track of the fugitive. This circumstance 
proved of great advantage to Eckler by increasing the 
distance between him and his bloodthirsty followers. 

Captain Eckler's brother Jacob was taken prisoner 
by Brant and held in captivity six years ; also two of his 
children, but they finally made their escape to Fort 

Plain. 

Brant and Captain Eckler were school-mates, and 
frequently wrestled together; but it is said Eckler 
always beat, being a man of great strength and agility. 



46 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

Captain Eckler* died March 3d, 1820, aged eighty 
years and eiglit months, and was buried near Yan-IIorns- 
ville. Was grandfather of John and Thomas Eckler, of 
Warren. 



EICHFIELD HOTEL.t 

As previously noticed, the first public house in this 
place was built on the hill to the west of Ocquionis 
Creek, as a tavern, several years before-the turnpike was 
constructed. 

In the year 1810,, the lot, containing one acre (on 
which stands the Richfield Hotel), was owned by a Mr. 
Graves, a blacksmith, who sold it to Nathan Dow, who 
erected the Richfield Hotel in 1816, and presented it to 
his son-in-law Robert Benedict, who kept it as ?i pnbUc 
house about twenty years, when he sold it to Mr. Jesse 
Burgess. 

Mr. Benedict now purchased the house and lot 
adjoining on the west (the house recently burned), of a 
Mr. Jaques, where he continued to reside until the year 
1850, when he removed to Chester, near Philadelphia, 
and died Nov. 15, 1855, aged seventy-nine years. :j: The 
regular succession of proprietors of the Richfield Hotel, 
was as follows, after Mr. Burgess : William H. Lewis, 
John Culbert, Moses Jaques, Moses Wheeler, Charles 
Davy, Clark Huestis, Sandusky Keller. The last named 
is the present proprietor. 

* Christina, wife of Captain Eckler, died January 2l8t, 1841, 
aged niuety-four years and three months. 

f The Richfield Hotel received the first visitors to these Springs 
in the year 1821. About twenty-five remained here during this season. 

X Mr. Benedict left two sons and two daughters. The late Dr. 
Benedict, of Jackson, Florida, was a son of Robert Benedict ; James, 
the only surviving son, is now a resident of Philadelphia. 



HORACE MANLEY. 47 



HOKACE MANLEY, M.D. 

Thomas Manley, father of Dr. Manley, says Benton, 
" was a native of Dorset, Bennington County, Yermont. 
He came into the town of J^orway, Herkimer County, 
'New York, in the spring of 1789, opened a small clearing 
and erected his log-cabin, and brought his family into the 
town the next year, 1790. Mr. Manley being among the 
first settlers on the northern part of the royal grant, and a 
man of energy and force of character, was a prominent 
man in his town. He held the office of supervisor 
fifteen years, and w^as twice commissioned by Governor 
John Jay superintendent of highways in the County of 
Herkimer. One of his sons. Dr. Manley, of Richfield, 
Otsego County, told me his father, the first 3^ear he came 
on the grant, put up a bark-hut as a sleeping-place for 
himself and his hired man, and a store-room for such few 
things as they had, requiring protection from the w^eather. 
They used a blanket to cover the entrance of their prim- 
itive lodge. The needful cooking was done at the fire 
outside. As they were then quite destitute of such sub- 
stantial in the way of food as beef, pork, mutton, and 
lamb, the forest was resorted to, to supply deficiencies, 
and the white rabbits, being numerous, were taken when- 
ever occasion required. Not having the fear of cholera 
before their eyes, and being intent in felling the forest and 
opening their clearing for a small crop, they did not stop 
to inquire into the origin and causes of diseases, but 
threw their culinary ofial down near the door of the hut, 
where a considerable quantity of rabbit bones had of 
course been accumulating. 

" Mr. Manley and his companion were one night dis- 
turbed by an unusual noise outside, but near their hut : 



48 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

listening a moment, they concluded, from the cracking 
of the rabl)it bones, that some strong-mouthed native 
of the forest was making a night meal of them. Man- 
ley took his guu, and moving the blanket door gently 
aside, lired in the direction of the heap of rabbit bones; 
a terrific growl was the only response, except the echo 
of the discharge in the surrounding dense forest. Tlic 
night was dark, and having struck up a light with steel 
and flint, and recharging their guns, they cautiously 
examined the ground about the hut, and found nothing 
except some traces of blood. 

''The animal, although wounded, was not disabled 
from making its escape. Early the next morning, Mr. 
Manley and his companion took the blood-trail into the 
forest, and in about an hour found a good-sized bear, 
weary and faint from the effects of his late night feast, 
and the unkind treatment he had received. The bear 
was killed, in the hope that the meat would give the 
captors a savory change in animal food. But it was 
poor, and the meat coarse, dark, and tough. Mr. Manley 
was an agriculturist, and highly respected in his town 
and county. He w^as elected a member of the Assembly 
in this State in 1799, in 1809, and in 1820. He died in 
Norway, where he lived sixty-three years, on the 21st 
of January, 1852, aged eighty-eight years and six 
months." Horace Manley was born in the town of 
IS^orway, Herkimer County, New York, March 2Sth, 
1791. Followed the ordinary employments of his 
father's farm, and attending school until the age of 
nineteen, when he commenced the study of medicine in 
the oflice cf Dr. Ayers, of East Canada Creek, town of 
Manheim, which he continued for several years, and 
finally graduated at Fairfield Medical College, in the 
winter of 1814-15. 



HORACE MANLEY. 49 

In the spring of 1814, he was drafted to serve in the 
army at Sacketts Harbor, but was relieved from this duty 
by a substitute employed by his father. But the doctor 
says, " I was willing, yes, anxious to go, for, like nearly 
every other 3^oung man in the country, I had learned to 
hate the British. For -many of those who had partici- 
pated in the protracted struggle for our national in- 
dependence still survived, whose oral testimony, in 
conjunction with the histor}^ of the Revolution, had 
engendered in every youthful breast a most intense 
animosity, and we only sought an opportunity to avenge 
the cruelties that had been perpetrated upon our friends 
and nation." By permission of his father, he was allowed 
to go to Sacketts Harbor with a load of farm produce, 
and while there, volunteered as a private, but was at 
once promoted to a brevet commission of surgeon's mate 
in the 40th Regiment Xew York State Militia, com- 
manded by Colonel Matliew Myers. He served two 
months in this capacity, or until the close of the war. 

There were at this time seven thousand militia 
ordered to Sacketts Harbor by Governor Tompkins. 

The doctor says, " I counted eighteen men-of-war 
vessels lying in Sacketts Harbor ; the largest was the 
•Superior,' with five hundred men on board, etc., etc." 

In the year 1816, Dr. Manley located at Monticello, 
in the town of Richfield, for the practice of medicine 
and surgery. Here he devoted himself to his profession, 
with characteristic zeal and assiduity, and in a few 
months found himself enjoying the rich reward of an 
extended and lucrative business. In 1820 he bought an 
acre of land embracing what is now " The Manley 
Spring," on the grounds of the Spring House, for which 
he paid $75, and erected a dwelling-house for his family. 
He proceeded at once to prepare the spring for public use. 
3 



50 KICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

At this time tlie only place for the accommodation of 
visitors was the Eichfield Ilotel,^ wliere but few guests 
could be received. Directly over the spring stood a 
large pine-tree, from beneath which the water issued pro- 
fusely, covering the ground for some distance around 
with a thick white coating of tufaceous deposit. The 
tree and earth were removed to the depth of live feet, 
when the water was found to issue from the deep crevice 
of a large flat rock, that now forms its bed. On this rock 
w^as found the body of a large tree, still sound and per- 
fect ; also the antler of an elk, with its points ground 
off. The doctor thinks it had been used by the Indians 
for a war-club. It was presented to Professor Mitchel, 
of Columbia College, Kew York. He also found ripe red 
plums, and fresh-looking green leaves, that soon turned 
black and fell to pieces on exposure to the air.f The 
writer asked the doctor how long he thought these plums 
and leaves had been there ; he answered, " Thousands 
of years, no doubt," as five feet of earth and decomposed 
vegetation had accumulated over them without human 
agency. This Sulphur Spring now began to attract 
public attention, but the duties of his profession requir- 
ing his entire attention, the doctor sold the property, 
including the spring, to a Mr. Chase, and purchased the 
land now occupied by him, a short distance to the east of 
the spring, on the south side of Main Street, where he 
resides in the enjoyment of a well-earned competence. 
Dr. Manley has three sons and four daughters, now 
living. 

A laughable incident occurred while the doctor was 

* This Louse was kept by Robert Benedict, the regular price of 
board being $1.25 per week. 

f Mr. George Bell, of Jordonville, has in Lis possession at tLe 
present time, a " deer's Lorn," taken from tliis SulpLur Spring by 
Moses Freeman, about tLe time tLe spring was first discovered. 



RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 51 

engaged in excavating the spring. His workmen had 
suspended a white handkerchief to a pole by the roadside 
to indicate the location of the spring in the forest. A 
countryman on horseback, approaching from the west, 
seeing this supposed signal of small-pox, attempted to 
pass the designated point, by galloping his horse at full 
speed, at the same time holding his nose and mouth 
firmly with one hand ; but when directly opposite the 
spring, he involuntarily caught a breath of air, that was 
strongly impregnated with the fumes of the sulphur 
water. Suddenly checking his horse, he exclaimed, with 
an expression of the deepest despair, " O God, I've catch- 
ed it." 



KICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 

Mineral waters are known to have been in use as 
remedial ao-ents amonoj the ancient nations of the East. 
According to history, the Greeks were familiar with the 
medical properties of mineral waters, and are supposed 
to be the first to use them in the treatment of the same 
diseases for which they are used at the present day. 

The name of Hippocrates is associated with the use 
of medicinal waters in Greece. PHny, the historian, 
speaks of their use as remedial agents in ancient Italy. 
A great variety of mineral springs are known to abound 
in many of the United States and Territories, but the 
State of I^ew York ranks first in this respect ; Yirginia 
next. 

J^ew York is indeed remarkable for its great variety 
of mineral waters, and also metallic mineral deposits dis- 
tributed throughout nearly every portion of the State. 
Our present knowledge of its geology, which is intensely 



52 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

interesting, is derived principally from the surveys made 
under State authority, from 1S26 to 1843, and from^ the 
investigations of eminent geologists, who have examined 
particular localities. 

In some sections of the limestone regions of the 
State, mineral springs are found of sulphurous character, 
especially, many of which have attained great notoriety 
for their medicinal properties. Sulphur and Chalybeate 
are the most common, and are now regarded of great 
value in the treatment of various diseases. 

Among the most distinguished of these springs are 
those of Eichfield, Otsego County, Sharon, Schoharie 
County, and Avon, Livingston County. We propose to 
notice especially the mineral springs of Kichfield, that 
have already attained a popular celebrity in their use as 
medical agents. 

Seventeen distinct mineral springs are now known m 
this place and immediate vicinity, most of them contain- 
ino- sulphur, but varying to some extent in their con- 
stiUient elements. Two of these springs only have been 
analvzed, viz. the Manley Spring," on the grounds of 
the Spring House, and the American Spring, in the base- 
ment of the American Hotel, and are known to be the 
strongest sulphur waters on the American continent. 
The following is an analysis of these waters by Prof. 
Eeid. 

* First prepared for public use in 1820, by Dr. Horace Manley. 
During the French War, while the English army were stationed at 
Albany, a party of sappers and miners were directed to this place by 
an Indiln guide, and a large excavation was made about ten feet to 
the east of this spring, in their search for deposits of sulphur for 
the manufacture of gunpowder. Traces of this excavation were 
visible until quite recently. 



RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 53 

Bi-carbonate magnesia per gallon, 20 grains 

Bi-carbonate lime " ^^ 

Cliloride sodium and magnesia " 15 

Sulphate magnesia " 30 

Hydro-sulphate magnesia and lime '* 2 

Sulphate of lime " ^^ 

Solid matter ." 1^2.5 

Sulphurated hydrogen gas " 20.6 inches 

A Chalybeate Spring was recently discovered on the 
west bank of Ocquionis, or Fish Creek, near the railroad 
crossing, which, from chemical tests, is supposed to be 
exceedingly rich in carbonate of iron, and is regarded as 
a valuable accession to the mineral waters of this place. 
This spring, together with a number of acres of valuable 
land around it, is the private property of James K. Wel- 
don, Esq., of Binghamton, New York. 

In the town of Springfield, in this county, are several 
sulphur springs of good quality, but their location will 
doubtless prevent them from being appropriated to pub- 
lic use to any extent. Also, near Cherry Yalley, I under- 
stand there is a very fine sulphur spring. It is located 
at what is known as Judd's Falls, near the line of the 
Albany and Cherry Yalley Eailroad. The very favorable 
location of this spring will no doubt soon make it a place 
of popular resort for invalids, being a most favorable 
location for purity of mountain air, and overlooking the 
great valley of the Mohawk. 

ISTo inquiry can be more interesting to the medical 
profession, than an investigation and accurate knowledge 
of the virtues and medicinal properties of the medicated 
waters of our State, in their application to the treatment 
of disease. This subject has already occupied the earnest 
attention of physicians, and been studied with varying 
degrees of interest and success, according to the estima- 
tion of its importance. Although this may have been 



54 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

temporarily delayed by the prevailing doctrines and theo- 
ries of disease, more particularly of the determinate and 
specilic power of certain remedies to control or arrest its 
progress, the experience of distinguished men has steadily 
and with increasing authority established a belief in the 
great importance of a knowledge of the nature and influ- 
ence of these agencies, and justified a confidence in the 
correctness of the observations by which it has been 
established. 

It is now an admitted truth, that many diseases are 
cured by natural processes, and that the value of all reme- 
dies, and of all modes of treatment depend upon their 
power to aid and promote such processes. Rational and 
physiological remedies alone can harmonize with, and be 
founded upon the present advanced knowledge of the 
laws of life. We will not attempt to describe the various 
cachectic states of many who live in populous towns and 
cities with deranged and feeble action of the nervous 
system, defective secretion — and excretion — with conse- 
quent dyspepsia, and congestion of internal organs, con- 
ditions which, without change in external circumstances, 
resist, and gradually become unmanageable by ordinary 
medical treatment. 

The special character of these waters, and also the 
climate of this region has been much overlooked, and 
had far too little credit for their positive influence in the 
cure of the diseases so generally mitigated and cured 
here. It is a difficult matter to accurately estimate the 
relative value of the climate and mineral waters of Rich- 
field. But the experience of our resident physicians and 
members of the medical profession who have annually 
visited this place for many years, may be regarded as suffi- 
cient authority for my observations in this connection. 
The distinctive peculiarity of these waters, is their prop- 



RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 55 

erty of acting generally on the whole glandular system, 
exciting to increased and healthy action. To the pro- 
duction of this result, their mixed composition of sul- 
phides and chlorides especially adapts and renders them 
most efficacious. When, in addition to their internal use, 
they are also applied externally, and the skin excited to 
increased action, their conjoined external and internal 
use supplies a most decisive and effective mode of elim- 
inative treatment, and a healthy supply of purely elabo- 
rated blood thus produced. 

The copious diaphoresis which the warm bath estab- 
lishes, opens in itself a main channel for the immediate 
expulsion of properties injurious to health, made mani- 
fest by their peculiar odor. A similar effect, though 
perhaps in a less degree, may be effected by drinking the 
water, a common, indeed, universal practice of all classes 
who annually resort to these springs. The impression 
produced by the warm bath is indeed powerful, arousing 
into action sluggish and torpid secretions. The languid 
circulation is thus purified of morbific matters, and 
thereby renewed vigor and healthful action are given to 
the absorbents, lymphatics, and secretory apparatus, a 
combined effect which no medicine is capable of accom- 
plishing. The carbonates of alkalies present in these 
waters, as demonstrated by experiment and analysis, can- 
not be without their therapeutic effect upon the system. 
The large quantity of free carbonic gas which the water 
contains, and which continually rises in volumes at the 
fountains of these springs, has an invigorating effect. 
Maintaining a uniform temperature of Ibrty-eight de- 
grees throughout the entire year, the waters are eagerly 
sought as a beverage by the healthful as well as the 
debilitated, during the sultry months of summer. 

About one-half mile to the north of this village, on the 



66 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITT. 

premises of B. A. Weatherbee, are several valuable 
springs ; some of them being so strongly impregnated 
with minerals, that they are suitable only for external 
use. A few rods to the west of these, and near the bank 
of the mill-stream, is a copious fountain of white sulphur 
water, regarded by good judges as identical with the 
White Sulphur Springs of Virginia. This spring has 
been tubed and otherwise prepared for public use, through 
the enterprising generosity of Mr. Weatherbee. 

In the treatment of chronic diseases and long-contin- 
ued derangement and debility, the climate and resources 
of Richfield are considered invaluable. It is well known 
that in the treatment of chronic diseases, remedies, char- 
acterized as alteratives, are usually emploj^ed. 

Experiment has abundantly proved that these waters 
are strictly alterative remedies — varying, it is true, in 
their effects, according to the i3eculiarities of subjects, 
and at the same time shielding the patient from the dan- 
gerous effects incident to the use of mercurial altera- 
tives. Regarded in this light, it will readily be seen how 
wide the range of their application and uses must be in 
the treatment of disease ; especially in cutaneous affec- 
tions, for which their high reputation is now established. 
As remedial agents, mineral waters are very liable to 
abuse, as they, no doubt, in many instances are taken 
without advice or direction. According to my own 
observation there seems to be in many instances a spirit 
of rivalry between individuals as to who shall quaff the 
greatest amount of the water, without regard to the evil 
consequences that may possibly ensue. With persons in 
health it is regarded as harmless, but " too much of a 
good thing is sometimes worse than none," and no other 
medicines are taken in this indiscreet way. It must be 
apparent to all, that the use of " Mineral Waters," for 



THE SPRING HOUSE. 57 

disease, should in all cases be accompanied with specific 
directions from a physician, whose knowledge and expe- 
rience in their use has abundantly qualified him to 
give advice. Resident physicians of watering-places are 
undoubtedly the most competent ones to consult in mat- 
ters of this grave character. 

The observation and practice of eminent members of 
the medical profession, have demonstrated that cutaneous 
eruptions are intimately connected with dyspepsia, bilious 
derangements, gout, rheumatism, scrofula, etc. And the 
testimony of thousands prove that the above diseases 
have been successfully treated by the use of these waters. 

And that this reputation is thoroughly established in 
the public mind, and fully appreciated, is evidenced by 
the constantly increasing number of invalids who annu- 
ally visit this healthful and attractive resort. 



" THE SPEHSTG HOUSE." 

In the year 1823, Samuel Chase, of Cooperstown, in 
company with Mr. Theodore Page, erected a hotel on 
the corner of Main and Church Streets, that is now 
known as the ^' Spring House." The original structure 
was 40 feet long, 30 feet wide, and two stories in height. 

This house was occupied by Mr. Page, and the two 
gentlemen co-operated in entertaining summer visitors 
three 3^ ears, when Mr. Page disposed of his share of the 
property to Mr. Chase, who immediately leased the 
house-to C. M. Paul for the term of five years, at $500 
per year. During the five years, Mr. Chase was elected 
a member of Congress from this county, and was in 
office during two terms. 



58 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

At the close of the last session, his health gave way, 
and he returned to this place, again assuming control of 
the hotel, which continued for about five years. 

Mr. Chase died in 1835, and the house was con- 
ducted by his widow for four years ; when she sold the 
property to General Whitney, who presented it to his 
son Joshua Whitney, now of Binghamton, N. Y. He 
commenced the proprietorship of the Spring House 
under the most favorable auspices, possessing the adven- 
titious aids of fortune, and other invincible prestiges. 
Being a gentleman of culture and reiinement, he was 
well calculated to cater to the wants of the numerous 
guests who annually visited his house, which was soon 
found too limited to receive the constantly increasing 
numbers that applied for accommodations. The building 
w^as now put under thorough repairs, and its limits were 
extended. After he had enlarged, or made additions to 
it at various intervals, it would accommodate about sixty 
guests. He also erected a small bathing-house for the 
use of invalids, that proved a lucrative investment. 

Successfully conducting this house for twenty years, 
he sold the entire property to Messrs. P. Yan Horn and 
John Backus. 

These gentlemen immediately erected extensive addi- 
tions to the house, and also erected two larg-e bathing- 
houses, 24: by 80 feet respectively. The water was heated 
by a large steam-engine. At the close of the first season, 
Mr. Backus bought his partner's interest in the property, 
and the following year sold the house to Messrs. Bryan 
and Hansom.^ They made extensive additions to the 
hotel, and it can now easily accommodate four hun- 
dred and fifty guests. They also added largely to the 
grounds of the house, now comprising about five acres, 
* Norman K. Ransom ; died March 13tli, 1873, aged forty-five years. 



THE AMERICAN HOTEL. 59 

laid out in gravel- walks and grass-plots, beautifully shaded 
by young and thrifty ornamental trees. 

It is now a pleasant and inviting home for the invalid 
and pleasnre-seeker. 

The " Spring House " possesses the considerable ad- 
vantage of including within its grounds the popular 
fountain, known as the " Manley Spring^ 



THE AMERICAN HOTEL. 

This popular house was first erected in 1830, by Mr. C. 
M. Paul, who kept it as a public house and for the enter- 
tainment of summer visitors, until 1839, when the hotel 
and lands adjoining were purchased by General William 
P. Johnson. 

In tlie month of December, 1850, this hotel was 
entirely destroyed by fire. The following year the 
present structure was erected, and subsequently enlarged, 
until it now easily accommodates four hundred and fifty 
guests. In the year 1865, a rich and copious sulphur 
spring was discovered in the basement of this hotel, 
which upon analysis was found to be identical with its 
older compeer of the Spring House directly opposite. 
Large and commodious bathing-houses were at once con- 
structed and supplied from this spring, and the house 
now offers every facility for the comfort and convenience 
of invalids and pleasure-seekers, being amply furnished 
with all the appointments usually found in first-class 
hotels. 

In 1871, Mr. Johnson died, and the house is now 
under the supervision of Messrs. Cary, Tunnicliff & 
Blake, heirs of the General. 



60 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



THE JSTATIONAL HOTEL. 

This hotel was erected by Mr. Davis Brown in 1852, 
who sold it to Benjamin E. Canej and Moses Jaqnes, in 
1855. Mr. Caney soon bought out the interest of Mr. 
Jaques, and conducted it as a public house until his 
death in 1866. Mr. Caney had ten sons and four 
daughters, who are all now living except Charles, the 
fourth son, who enlisted in the T8th Eegiment New 
York Volunteers, in the autumn of 1861, and was killed 
at the battle of Antietam, September ITth, 1862, and was 
buried on the field. He had a short time previous to 
his death received the appointment of captain. He was 
shot dead while gallantly leading his men into action.* 

In January, 1863, his remains were disinterred and 
removed to the cemetery in this village, together with 
the remains of his daughter of four years, w^ho had 
recently died in New York. In 1865, Mr. Alvin Barrus 
purchased the ]N"ational Hotel, and it has been successfully 
conducted by him until the present time. This hotel is 
pleasantly situated on the north side of Main Street, and 
has accommodations for about sixty guests. 



THE CANADAEAGO HOUSE. 

This new and commodious hotel is pleasantly situ- 
ated opposite the Spring House, on Main Street, and has 
ample accommodations for one hundred and fifty guests. 

F. Stanton, Proprietor. 

* Captain Caney is the only soldier buried in this place. Mrs. 
Benjamin E. Caney died March 8th, 1862, in the sixty-second year 
of her age, being the first death in this large family. 



HOTELS. 61 



THE Il^TEEKATIOlSrAL HOTEL, 

On the corner of Main and Lake Streets, has accommoda- 
tions for one hundred guests. 

W. E. Daerow, Proprietor. 



THE CENTEAL HOTEL. 

This house is new and pleasantly situated on the east 
side of Lake Street. Can accommodate sixty-five guests. 

P. K. MiNEEj Proprietor. 



THE DEETHICK HOUSE. 

Tnis new and elegant house is pleasantly situated on 
the south side of Main Street, directly opposite the 
Methodist Church. Can accommodate one hundred 
guests. 

John Derthick, Proprietor. ' 



DAYENPOET HOUSE. 



This popular house stands to the east of the American, 
on Main Street, and has accommodations for one hundred 
and fifty guests. 

J. S. Davenport, Proprietor. 



62 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



PEIYATE BOAEDING HOUSES. 

The Tunniclifp Cottage, Main Street. Capacity 
sixty guests. C. dc M. Tunnidiff^ Proprietors. 

The HosFORD House, Main Street. Capacity sixty 
guests. M. K. Hosford^ Proprietor. 

The TuLLER House, Main Street. Capacity one 
hundred guests. N. D. Jeioell^ Proprietor. 

The Kathbun House, Main Street. Capacity thirty 
guests. Miss H. Rathbun^ Proprietor. 

The CoNKLiN House, Main Street. Capacity thirty 
guests. Ezra Conklin, Proprietor. 

The Cary House, Main Street. Capacity sixty 
guests. George B. Cary^ Proprietor. 

J. M. Derthick's House, Main Street. Capacity 
twenty guests. 

The TuNNicLiFF House, Lake Street. Capacity thirty 
guests. Richard Tunnidiffj Proprietor. 

The Chambrrlin House, Church Street. Capacity 
thirty guests. C. C. Chamhey'lin^ Proprietor. 

The Getman House, Church Street. Capacity twenty 
guests. Hiram Getman^ Proprietor. 

The EcKLER House. This house is situated on Church 
Street, opposite the Spring House. Has accommodations 
for twenty boarders. Levi Echler, Proprietor. 

There are many other private houses that are open to 
guests through the summer season. 



POST-OFFICE. 63 



POST-OFFICE. 

This important institution of the village was first 
established here under the administration of General 
Jackson, in 1829, as East Richheld. James Hyde was the 
lirst Postmaster, and held the office twelve years, or 
until the accession of the Whig party to power under 
General Harrison in 1841, when he resigned in favor of 
E. A. Saunders, his deputy, who held the office but a 
few months, when Horace Manley received the regular 
appointment, and was succeeded by A. K. Elwood in 
1842, under the administration of John Tyler. During 
the time that James Hyde was Postmaster, the office 
was kept in the old American Hotel. 

In 1848, Moses Jaques was appointed under James 
K. Polk ; held the office but a few months, when C^^rus 
Osborn received the appointment, and held the office 
until 1853, and was succeeded by James S. Davenport. 
In 1862, Samuel S. Edick * received the appointment 
under Mr. Lincoln, but resigned in 1865 in favor of E. 
A. Hinds, who was duly appointed and still holds the 
office. 

"During the year 1872, this office received and sent 
as follows: 

" Newspajpers and Letters. 

"Dailies received, 110; weeklies, 169 ; semi- weeklies, 
21 ; monthlies, 67. 

" Letters sent, 75,000 ; letters received, 80,000 ; let- 
ters registered, 361. 

" E. A. Hinds, P. M." 

* Present Judge of Otsego County. 



64: RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINIXr. 

COKPOEATION. 

The village of Eichfield Springs was incorporated by 
Act of the Legislature, passed March 30th, 1861. It 
embraces within its corporate limits, about one square 
mile, or six hundred and forty acres. 

During the last twenty months, the village has been 
extensively drained by sewers leading from every part 
of the place, to the stream leading to the lake ; and no 
town in the State enjoys a better system of sanatory reg- 
ulations. 

Our streets also have been put in excellent condition, 
and are being constantly improved under the auspices of 
the corporate authorities. 

There are at the present time, within this corporation, 
210 dwellings, 1 hotels, 15 stores, 5 churches. 



PEOFESSIONS. 



Lawyers. 
Davenport & Tennant, Parker D. Fay, J. "W. 
Young, "William Oliver. 

Physicians. 
ISTorman Getman, W. B. Grain, O. G. Orendorf. 

MagiMrates. 
A. R. Elwood, J. L. Gomstock. 

Dentists. 
W. T. Bailey, T. H. Bradish. 



BUSINESS PLACES. 65 

Surveyors. 
J. L. Comstock, E. W. Badger. 

Teachers. 
E. D. Harrington, Miss Emma Getman ; Select 
School, Mrs. M. E. King. 

Insurance Agents. 
W. D. Griffin, J. D. Ibbotson, M. Tuller, L. M. 
Doubleday. 

Notaries Puhlic. 
J. S. Davenport, M. Bryan, E. A. Hinds. 

Veterinary Surgeon, 
Allen S. Buchanan. 

Artists. 
N. S. Bowdish, F. M. Zoller, G. H. Bronner. 

Banking House. 
Elwood & Tuller. 



BUSINESS PLACES, March, 1874. 

Printing Office. — Bichfield Springs Mercury; C. 
Ackerman, Editor. 

Dry-Good Stores. — Elwood & Tuller, E. A. Hinds, 

E. Stanton. 

Hardxoare and Stoves. — Robert Buchanan. 
Hardware and Groceries. — McCredy Brothers. 
Drug Stores. — A. J. Smith & Son, J. F. Getman. 
Clothing Stores. — J. McCredy & Son, O. Knapp, 

F. C. Hunt. 

Groceries. — J. Frink & Co., R. Russell. 



66 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

Jewelers. — J. & H. C. Walter, J. Straus, and H. 
Greemnan. 

Grist and FloxiTing Mills. — John Dana. 

Steam Saw-Mill. — J. Backus & Co. 

Photograph Gallery. — George H. Bronner. 

Booh Store^ Telegraph and Express Office. — James 
A. Storer. 

Expressman. — Thomas Shoemaker. 

Butter Dealer. — Peter Allen. 

Cabinet Shops. — S. Palmer, Martin & Harrington. 

Shoe Stores. — Guy Kinne, Jay Winne. 

Farm Produce and Groceries. — P. Langdon. 

Lumher Yard and Feed Store. — W. B. Ward. 

Butchers and Cattle Dealers. — Yroman & Brown. 

Harness Shops. — C. B. Fuller. 

Tin Shops. — K. Buchanan, H. Royston. 

Barber. — G. II. Thomson. 

Carriage Makers. — A, Barker, H. J. Freudenberg. 

Blachsmiths. — A. Allen & Son, R. J. Dutcher, Mr. 
Shi mm el. 

Painters. — A. C. Cole, J. Horn, and G. H. John- 
son. 

Carpenters. — Twenty. 



" THE RICHFIELD SPRINGS MERCURY." 

The first number of the Mercury was published, July 
19th, 1867, by Henry L. Brown. Mr. Brown continued 
its publication until October 22d, 1868, when he sold 
the office to its present proprietor, Mr. C. Ackerman, 
Mr. Ackerman inspired new life in the office, and Janu- 
ary 21st, 1871, enlarged the Mercury from a 24-by-36, 



MASONIC LODGE. 67 

to 26-by-40 slieet, and made large additions to the 
office. 

In the spring of 1873, he purchased one of C. Potter 
& Co.'s power-presses, and to-day has one of the best 
country offices in the State. The Mercury has nearly 
one thousand subscribers. 

The jobbing department of this establishment is first- 
class, and its work is seldom excelled by the best city 
offices. The present firm, C. Ackerman & Son, are en- 
joying the confidence of the people, and doing all in their 
power to promote the prosperity of our village, and to 
advance the moral tone of the people. 



MASONIC LODGE. 



KicHFiELD Springs Lodge No. 482, Free and 
Accepted Masons, was duly organized on the 12th day of 
August, 1859, by AV. M. Mordecai Myers, Past Grand 
Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Kew York. 

Mrst Officers. — Hon. James Hyde, W. M. ; Hon. 
Charles Belong, S. W. ; Daniel H. Woodbury, J. W. ; 
Lot H. Hasford, Secretary ; Gen. Wm. P. Johnson, Treas- 
urer ; David Firman, J. D. ; Silas Gray, Tiler. 

This Lodge holds its regular communications on the 
2d and 4th Saturday in each month. Present mem- 
bership about one hundred. 

Present Officers, 1873.— Martin Goes, W. M. ; John 
F. Getman, S. W. ; J. A. Storer, J. W. ; N. S. Bowdish, 
S. D. ; Menzo Barrus, J. D. ; A. H. Elwood, Sec. ; K 
Getman, Treas. ; T. I. Jaques, Tiler. Lodge rooms in 
Walter's Block, Main Street. 



DO EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITT. 

Ladies^ Degrees. — The Initial Degree for ladies was 
conferred August 13th, 1 859, on the following names, by 
Mr. M. Benedict, viz. : Mary Cheeseman, Mary Johnson, 
Matilda Reed, Olive Elwood, Fanny Hyde. The follow- 
ing ladies received the degree of ""True Kinsman'^'' : 
Matilda Reed, Fanny Hyde. 

Richfield Springs, Chapter No. 222. 

First Officers. — This sublime adjunct of Masonry 
was organized April 29th, 1868. S. R. Stewart, H. P. ; 
L. M. Doubleday, S.; W. B. Lidell, K. 

Present Officers.—^. S. Bowdish, H. P. ; C. Crim, S. ; 
W. A. Smith, R. A. C. ; A. H. Elwood, Third Y. ; M. 
Barrus, First Y. ; J. A. Storer, Treasurer; J. F. Getman, 
K. ; E. A. Hinds, C. of H. ; S. R. Ward, P. S. ; James 
A. Storer, Second Y. ; John Derthick, Secretary ; T. I. 
Jaques, Tiler. Present number of members, seventy- 
one. Regular convocations, first and tliird Friday of 
each month. 



THE CIRCULATING LIBRARY. 

This association was first organized by the ladies of 
this village in the spring of 1860, with eleven members, 
at two dollars each. The books purchased were rented 
at the rate of ten cents per volume for one week, and 
the money so obtained applied to the purchase of new 
books. 

The price of membership has been raised from time 
to time, and is fixed at the present date at ten dollars. 

The number of volumes now in the library is nine 
hundred and thirty, consisting chiefly of works of 



THE TELEGRAPH. 69 



fiction, but comprising also essays, travels, poems, and 

biographies. 

The new and popular works ot each season are 
obtained as soon as issued, making a delightful resource 
to visitors who do not desire to burden themselves with 
the care and weight of books. 



THE TELEGRAPH. 



Previous to the year 1862, the communication of Rich- 
field Sprino-s with the outside world, was limited to a daily 
mail to Herkimer by stage-coach. The growing im- 
portance of the village rendered this inadequ.ate to the 
needs of the place, and a few public-spirited citizens, with 
a view rather to the benefit of the village than tor profit 
to themselves, conceived the idea of building a telegraph 
line to Herkimer, thus placing us on an equal tooting 
with more favored " watering-places." The citizens of the 
villa.'e promptly subscribed the necessary amount, about 
one^thousand dollars, and operations were immediately 
be-nn. The Richfield Springs and Herkimer Telegraph 
Company was organized under the laws of the State of 
New York, October 4th, 1861. The capital stock con- 
sisted of thirty-six shares of »25 each^The following 
were the first directors: Jacob Allen, William P. John- 
son, J. S. Davenport, Morgan Bryan, and James O. 

Armstrong. , , 

WiUiaVn P. Johnson was chosen President, and James 
Hyde, Secretary. The material for the line was pur- 
chased at once, and constructed during the autumn, and 
opened for business January 6th, 1862. _ 

William R. TunniclifE was the first operator, his oftioe 



70 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

being in the building known as Washington Hall, which 
has since been metamorphosed into the elegant summer 
hotel called the " Canadarago House." The line was of 
great benefit to the village, and the stimulus given to all 
business by the war, was shared also by the telegraph 
line, which continued to do a good hitsmess. 

The success and utility of the Richfield Springs and 
Herkimer Telegraph Line created a desire for its exten- 
sion to Cooperstown ; and a separate company was 
formed in 1864, for this purpose. 

The principal movers in this enterprise were the 
members of the Eichfield Springs and Herkimer Tele- 
graph Company. The Richfield Springs and Coopers- 
town Telegraph Company Avas organized February 2d, 
1864, and tlie following ofiicers chosen : — Directors: A. R. 
Elwood, Morgan Bryan, Alfred Chamberlin, and James S. 
Davenport, of Richfield Springs ; and William E. Corey, 
of Cooperstown. Alfred Chamberlin was subsequently 
chosen President, and A. R. Elwood, Secretary and 
Treasurer. The line was built via Springfield Centre 
and Otsego Lake, and was constructed in a substantial 
manner. The two lines were united in the Richfield 
Springs office, and were worked in one circuit, although 
the business was separated. The stocks of both companies 
were gradually absorbed by Alfred Chamberlin and A. 
R. Elwood, and consolidated February 15th, 1867, under 
the style of the Richfield Springs Telegraph Company ; 
with lines extending from Cooperstown through Spring- 
field Centre, Richfield Springs, and Mohawk, to Herki- 
mer, a distance of thirty-one miles. 

The Western Union Telegraph Company had in the 
meantime added a wire from Herkimer to TJtica, making 
the latter point the repeating station for the Richfield 
Springs line, thus greatly facilitating the dispatch of 



RAILROAD. 71 

business, l^ovember 15th, 1865, the Eichfield Springs 
line was leased to the Western Union Telegraph Com- 
pany, for the term of ten years, which company had a 
wire then extending from Palatine Bridge to Sharon 
Springs, which was by agreement further extended ma 
Cherry Yalley to Cooperstown, where they were united, 
forming a continuous circuit from Albany to Syracuse, ma 
Sharon, Cooperstown, Richfield Springs, and Herkimer. 

In 1871, the AVestern Union Company constructed 
a line from Utica to Eichfield Springs along the rail- 
road, ma " Eichfield Junction " and West Winfield, thus 
doubling the facilities of this office, which are unexcelled 
by any village of its size in the country. 

William E. Tunnicliff, the first operator and manager, 
died in 1865, and was succeeded by James A. Storer, 
who has held the position to the present time. 



EAILEOAD. 

The Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Yalley Eail- 
road Company, was organized under the General Eail- 
road Act, early in the year 1866, running from Utica 
to Sherburne in Chenango County ; also a branch 
deflecting from the main line at a point 13j- miles south 
of Utica, and running thence ma Eichfield Springs to a 
connection with the Albany and Susquehanna Eailroad, 
at Colliersville on the Susquehanna Eiver. A law 
authorizing the citj^ of Utica to issue bonds and take 
stock in the road to the amount of $500,000, passed Feb- 
ruary 19th, 1866. 

A law authorizing the several towns along the line 
of the road to issue bonds and take stock, was passed 



72 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

April 4tb, 1866. Work was immediately commenced, 
and the road was completed to Waterville, twenty-one 
miles, in the autumn of 1867 ; and to Sherburne forty- 
three miles, about the 15tli of August, 1868. 

In the mean time, efforts were made to bond the town 
of Bridgewater on the Eichfield branch, without success, 
and fears were entertained that this part of the enter- 
prise would be a failure, until about the first of January, 
1868, when the obstacles were removed, and the bonding 
of the towns along the line of the branch was pushed 
forward by the Financial Agent of the company, Ezra W. 
Badger, Esq.* On the first of June following, this work 
was completed as far as Kichfield Springs. 

The amount of funds provided by the several towns 
being insufficient to complete the road to the Springs, 
the company called for fifty thousand dollars more, and 
over thirty-five thousand was promptly subscribed by 
citizens of Richfield Springs and vicinity ; and the work 
of grading was begun ; and on the first day of June, 

1870, the road was opened from Utica to Eichfield 
Springs, by the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western 
Eailroad Company; that company having leased the 
whole road, a few months previous. The terminus of 
the road at this time was three -fourths of a mile west 
of the village, on the direct line as surveyed down the 
valley. And as the D. L. & ^V. E. E. Co. abandoned 
the extension in that direction, it was decided that the 
terminus be removed to a more convenient point. The 
village corporation was bonded for thirty thousand dol- 
lars for that purpose ; and about the middle of May, 

1871, the D. L. & W. Company broke ground for the 

*Tlie success of tliis important enterprise is due, to a very great 
extent, to the personal efforts and direct agency of Mr. Badger, who 
is now a resident of Richfield Springs. 



THE RAILWAY STATION. 73 

extension, and on the fourth day of July following, 
trains were run into the villaf^e. This enterprise has 
proved a successful investment. Two trains now leave 
this place daily and return. 

Througli the summer months, express trains come 
through from New Tork, without change of cars, arriv- 
ing: at Richfield about 7 p. m. 

Conductors, — Major D. F. Everett, Charles Farrell. 

Engineers. — L. T. Hewett, Fred. Eastman. 

Tickets Agent — J. D.Ibbotson. 

Baggagemen. — W. A. Swift, W. H. Chapman. 

THE EAILWAY STATION 

Is always a point of deep interest, especially at a 
watering-pLace, for here all classes congregate — some to 
greet expected guests or relatives, some to see their 
friends off on the train, while others seem to be led by 
idle curiosity to witness the arrival and departure of 
trains, or gaze upon those who are actively engaged in 
business incident to travel. Here we witness the warm 
and earnest greetings and civilities interchanged by 
friends long separated, and, not unfrequently, the tearful 
separation perhaps of others, that a few hours will carry 
many hundred miles apart. 

The railway station of Eichfield Springs is situated 
on the west side of Lake Street, in the southern part of 
the village, and but a few moments' walk or ride to all 
the A^^^?5, from which a line of omnibuses run to and 
from every train. 
4 



74 RICHFIELI) SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



THE CEMETEKY. 

The old burjing-grouDd adjacent to the Presbyte- 
rian Church in this village, was presented to the public 
as a burial-place, by Nathan Dow, Esq., about the year 
1825. It comprises about one acre of land, and contains 
at the present time 265 visible graves. 

The first interment in this grave-yard was a grand- 
child of Mr. Dow. The ground is pleasantly shaded by 
a vigorous growth of young maples, and other varieties 
of ornamental forest-trees. A new cemetery, outside the 
bounds-of the corporation, was long contemplated ; and 
in 1871, the village trustees purchased of William P. 
Johnson eight acres of land on a beautifully elevated 
ridge, a short distance to the southeast of the village. 

These grounds have a southern slope, overlooking 
the lake and Canadarago Yalley to the south. It is now 
known as " Lakeview Cemetery," 

About one-half the ground has been surveyed into 
lots twenty feet square, with intervening avenues. 

Several interments have already been made here ; 
and the present neglected condition of the old burying- 
ground will no doubt induce those having friends 
buried there, to remove their remains to the new ceme- 
tery. A receiving vault is now the great need of these 
new grounds. 

We trust the grounds of the old cemetery will ulti- 
mately be converted into a public park. 




Canadaeago Lake, fro'm Perkins^ Hill, 



CANADAEAGO LAKE. ^7 



CAI^ADAEAGO LAKE. 

This lake lies about three-fourths of a mile directly 
south from Kichfield Springs, is five miles in extreme 
length, and from one to one and a half miles in width. 
It is nearly surrounded by wood -covered hills or moun- 
tain-ranges, with intervening fields and highly cultivated 
farnis. This is one of the most beautiful of the small 
lakes of the State, and abounds in a great variety of most 
excellent fish, that furnish abundant piscatorial sport for 
those who visit this place through the warm summer 
season. At the time of the early settlement of this 
region, salt-water fish were occasionally found in its 
waters, but this is now prevented by the numerous dams 
built across the stream leading to it. A small steamboat 
was placed upon this lake in the summer of 1872, as 
a pleasure-boat. The annual appropriation w^hich our 
State Legislature has made for several years for the pro- 
pagation of fish in the lakes of the State, is certainly a 
matter of important consideration. 

Over 100,000 young fish have been put in this lake 
during the past winter, by Professor Green, of Rochester. 
About one-tenth of the number were trout, the balance 
w^hite-fish. 

A beautifully wooded Island, comprising about seven 
acres, and lying high above the water, rests within the 
bosom of this lake, its dark and cooling shades having 
long been a place of popular resort for pleasure par- 
ties as indicated by dates carved in the bark of trees. 
(This Island is now the private property of Mr. E. 
A. Ward, of l^ew York.) A corresponding Island once 
stood directly to the west of this, but about the com- 
mencement of this century, it suddenly disappeared by 



78 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

sinking far down beneath the waters of the lake.* It is 
said that the tops of large trees can now be seen, still 
standing erect, lar down in the transparent waters. The 
following Indian tradition in relation to this island, has 
been handed down tons: "A famous healing Indian 
prophet once dwelt npon a beautiful island in the midst 
of Canadarago Lake, to whom invalids from all the Iro- 
quois used to come, and leave their maladies. At mid- 
night he would glide softly away in his canoe, penetrate 
the dark forest to the fountains, and then i-eturn to his 
patients with vessels full of the magic waters. 

^' By his great success he became proud and power- 
ful ; and at last he called himself the twin brother of the 
Great Spirit. This blasphemy kindled the anger of the 
Almighty^ and it consumed the boaster. One morning 
when a bridal party went thither to receive the prophet's 
blessing, the island liad disappeared. The Great Spirit 
in his wrath had thrust it with the proud prophet so deep 
into the earth, that the waters of the lake where it stood 
are unfathomable by human measurement." 

THE SUNKEN ISLAND. 

BY ETHEL LYNN. 

O'er Canadarago the shadows creep. 
Dreams of her silent summer sleep ; 
Yon pictured hill, a blue-veined lid. 
Curtains the brightness beneath it hid ; 
The toying tress of the willow swings, 
And the tasselled birch her guerdon flings. 
Till the wave wakes up from its re very. 
And, Indian-like, laughs silently. 

* This is a veritable fact, within the recollection of our oldest 
citizens. It will be observed that Canadarago Lake on the west, 
and the Otsego Lake on the east, form the extreme sources of the 
Susquehanna River. 



CANADARAGO LAKE. 

In-sliore the tall flags moveless stand, 
With lances straight like warder band, 
To guard the lily's jewelled cup, 
Whose golden wine the wave bears up ; 
But guards in vain : the robber bee 
Drinks and away, humming merrily ; 
And the dragon-fly waves its wing of light 
Into the sunshine and out of sight. 

But just where the mountain shadows break 
Lies the sunken isle of the laughing lake, 
Where the soft, green rushes idly sway. 
And the fisher's boat is seen alway. 
As the angler peers through the limpid wave 
For a glimpse of the island's lonely grave, 
And dreams of the time when in air it stood. 
With its crown of flowers and belt of wood. 

For Canadarago a legend keeps, 

To be whispered low when the midnight creeps 

Moonless and still on the lonely shore, 

A tale of the Lost for evermore. 

Far back in the land of the Long Ago, 

Stood an island fair in the summer glow. 

Where ever alone a prophet dwelt. 

For whose healing touch the suffering knelt. 

Thither the Mohawk warrior came. 
With the wound from poison-dart aflame ; 
And the Iroquois, with his war- won pain. 
Sought at his hand for health again. 
Savage of mien and dark of mood. 
As well became his Indian blood ; 
Sullen and stern, none ever guessed 
The secrets locked in his dusky breast : 

Knew not how oft in the swift canoe 
The shivered waves from the paddles flew. 
As close by the dim, deep forest stayed. 
The prophet's foot in the darkness strayed. 
Till close by the bitter fountain's brink 
He stopped at last, yet not to drink ; 
But bore from thence the wondrous draught. 
The source and secret of his craft. 



79 



80 KICII FIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY, 

At lust, the olden legend eaith. 

He claimed the power to conquer Death; 

And spoke in horrid blasphemy 

Of twinship with Divinity ; 

Then the Great Spirit's awful frown 

Sent isle and prophet hurtling down ; 

And wondering pilgrims to that sliore 

{Saw isle or prophet never more. 



The Sunken Island ! — Ah, 'twere well 
If only legends wild could tell 
The tale. On Life's broad sea 
Such things as these there often be ; 
Bright s})Ots tlmt softly shine and gleam. 
Fair as a sinless angel's dream ; 
And yet they sink — and all but we 
Go Hoating on right merrily. 

So each alone his secrets keeps, 
Where his lost vision bides and slee]>s ; 
Sails bravely on and makes no moiin. 
Over the fairy landscape gone ; 
Yet glancing where the ru&hes grow. 
Bent by the breath of the Long Ago, 
He says no word, but dreams the while 
Of the unforgotten Sunken Isle. 



CANADARAGO VALLEY. 

LEA.DING southward from the hike is the picturesque 
valley of the Canadarago, through which flows the little 
stream kuown as '^ Oaks Creek," that w^inds its peaceful 
way through the dark shades of the primitive forest, that 
reaches far down into the valley from the mountain- 
range on the east. The ride along the base of this 
mountain in the summer months is extremely delight- 
ful, being beautifully embowered beneath the out-stretch- 
ed arms of gigantic forest-trees, that shade the way for 
many miles, for here the wild birds are filling the forest 



CANADARAGO VALLEY. 81 

with the sweetest of music — the thrushes and robins, and 
the multitude of feathered songsters, each of whom has 
his little note to add to the chorus, till to greet the rising 
sun and the waking world, rises such a gush of melody, 
that the listener stands enraptured in the midst of these 
evidences of Divine goodness, 

" Witli the brooklet's merry murmur 
In the gloomy wood, 
Birdlike music lightly breaking 
Through the solitude." 

Along this romantic way, we occasionally pass a " log- 
cabin." These ancient landmarks of pioneer life are 
usually found unoccupied and falling to decay. There 
is something peculiarly interesting in these relics of 
the early settlement of our country. There is no doubt 
an interesting history associated with them, although it 
may be forever lost in oblivion ; nevertheless, we can 
look upon them with sentiments of the deepest interest, 
and revert to the days of their prime, when occupied by 
the hardy pioneer, with his deep forest surroundings, 
far removed from the previous social pleasures and priv- 
ileges of the more thickly settled valleys of New Eng- 
land, from which many of the early settlers of this region 
removed. 

In these rude and humble abodes, many of our most 
eminent and distinguished men iirst saw the light of 
life ; here taught in early childhood to contend with the 
stern realities of primitive days, they learned the lessons 
of patient endurance, persevering toil, and self-reliance 
that so eminently fitted them for their future triumphs in 
private and public life. And the relative mental and 
physical vigor of the age, typified by these ancient relics, 
and the present, is a theme worthy the grave attention of 
the moralist. 



82 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



LEEOY, OE SCHUYLEE'S LAKE TILLAGE, 

Is pleasantly located at the southern end or foot of 
Canadarago Lake, and has a fixed population of about- 
three hundred. It has two churches, two public houses, 
stores, shops, and other places of business usually found 
in villages of its size. John Tunniclift' kept the first store 
and public house soon after the close of the Eevolution. 
About the commencement of the present century, Eli- 
phalet Brockway kept a public liouse, and M. Cushman 
opened a store about the same time. John Hartshorn 
built the first grist-mill on Herkimer Creek. The first 
church (Episcopal) was built at this place near the close 
of the last century. As the New York Gazetteer says, 
^' Eev. Daniel Nash was the first pastor, in 1797." Ac- 
cording to the same authority, Hendrick Herkimer set- 
tled near the lake on Herkimer Creek, prior to the Eev- 
olution, or about the time that John Tunnicliff occupied 
his purchase two miles to the southward. According to 
history, the Herkimer family maintain a prominent posi- 
tion in the annals of Herkimer County, during the strug- 
gle for American Independence. Mr. N. S. Benton, in 
his history, says, " Although a little out of the order of 
events, I will here give all the information I have 
been able to collect in regard to the surviving branches 
of the family of General Herkimer. 

" Of the four brothers who remained in the country 
and attached to the Eevolutionary cause, Nicholas and 
John died without issue. George left two sons, John and 
Joseph, who have been dead a number of years. Joseph 
left one son only, who until very recently resided at 
Little Falls. Henry left five sons, Joseph, Nicholas, 
Abraham, George, and Henry. I have not been able 



LEEOY, OR SCHUYLER S LAKE VILLAGE, 83 

to trace out the descendants of Joseph and Nicholas. 
Abraham removed to Pennsylvania, where his descend- 
ants are now to be found. George, the general's nephew, 
left four sons, Henry G,, Timothy, and George, who in 
1854: lived in Otsego County, near Schuyler's Lake, and 
William, who had removed to Chautauqua County. The 
general's nephew Henry left Joseph, Henry, and Robert 
H, The first named of these three brothers lived in 
Springfield, Otsego County, in 1854, and the two latter 
emigrated to Michigan some years ago," etc. 

A family by the name of Schuyler built a cabin on 
the bank of Herkimer Creek in 1774, where they resided 
during the Revolutionary^ War, who, by maintaining a 
strict neutrality, were permitted to live undisturbed by 
the marauding bands of hostile savages that infested 
the forests between this point and the Mohawk valley, 
A system of espionage was early established, as the safety 
of the frontier settlers required a knowledge of the 
Indian movements on the part of the military forces in 
this vicinity. Abraham Herkimer, a soldier, stationed 
at Fort Herkimer, was chosen by the commanding offi- 
cer to scout the forests in the vicinity of Canadarago 
Lake, and watch the movements of a large party of 
Indians under the lead of the notorious Brant, who were 
known to be prowling in that region for the purpose of 
rapine and the most heartless cruelties. Alone he pene- 
trated the deep forest, through which he wandered dur- 
ing the day in its wild solitudes, and at nightfall found 
himself at or near a point in what is now the town of 
Exeter, where the Deerlick Creek flows into the Herki- 
mer, when he suddenly came upon a formidable party 
of war-painted savages, surrounding a blazing fire, 
dancing wildly, and brandishing the gleaming blades of 
their blood-stained knives over their heads, with an 



84 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

occasional yell of fiendish exultation, in view of their 
murderous mission. AVith emotions of trepidation, he 
silently withdrew to a place of safety, and passed the 
night in sleepless fear, but determined if possible to 
ascertain their movements on the following morning. 

At the early dawn of day, they were observed to 
retire in the direction of the Canadarago, thence to the 
eastward toward Otsego Lake and Cherry Yalley.* This 
movement was immediately niade known to the com- 
manding officer of the fort, who at once dispatched a 
messenger to the last-named place, but too late to avert 
the fate that had already befollen it, as will be seen 
under the head of Cherry Valley. Soon after the adven- 
ture of Herkimer, another scout, by the name of Smith, 
volunteered to visit the same region, and, if possible, pen- 
etrate the valley south of Canadarago Lake. The first 
day he reached the cabin of Mr. Schuyler at Herkimer 
Creek, where he remained over night. Early the next 
morning, he proceeded over the trail to the stream lead- 
ing fro.m the lake (Oaks Creek), and upon approaching 
its western l)ank, found the trail obstructed by a fallen 
tree. While looking for a passage around this obstruc- 
tion, his eye suddenly detected the dusky forms of 
two Indians approaching from the opposite direction. 
He at once discovered that he had been seen by the sav- 
ages, Avho were well armed, and escape was impossible. 
The guns of Smith and the Indians were simultaneously 
levelled, but a well-directed bullet from the rifie of the 
former sent one of the Indians reeling to the ground, 
with a death-whoop that struck terror to the heart of 
Smith, who quickly fled, retracing his steps to the cabin 

* A Mrs. House, living near Little Lakes, whose husband was 
a Tory, learning of their approach, fled alone through the forest to 
Cherry Valley to apprise them of approaching danger. 



LEEOY, OR Schuyler's lake village. 85 

of Schuyler, where he related the adventure. He re- 
mained here but a few moments, however, being advised 
to fly for his life, as a large party were supposed to be in 
that vicinity, and his capture would be immediately 
attempted by the enraged savages. Taking the trail 
leading northward, he ran nearly the entire distance to 
Fort Herkimer; and was so greatly exhausted by this 
extreme exercise, that he died in less than two weeks 
thereafter. In the afternoon of the day of the occur- 
rence just related, several Indians visited the cabin of Mr. 
Schuyler, and reported to him the sad fate of their com- 
rade, and at their urgent solicitation he accompanied 
them to the spot, and there saw the lifeless body. The 
ball had entered the right eye, and passed entirely 
through the head, causing almost instant death. He 
assisted in burying the Indian's body near the place 
where it fell. 

The most direct Indian trail from the valley of the 
Mohawk to this lake, led from the vicinity of Little Falls to 
South Columbia direct, thence deflecting from the valley to 
the summit of " Gunset Hill." This eminence was a great 
place of resort of the hostile bands of Indians during the 
Revolution, as it commands an extensive view of the entire 
valley of the Canadarago south to the Susquehanna Eiver. 
It was known as the ^' Indian Lookout." Traces of the 
trail leading to it can now be seen. It derives its name 
from the circumstance that guns were set by the early 
hunters at this point in such a manner as to be easily dis- 
charged by the approach of wild animals. Gunset Hill is 
situated directly to the west of Richfield Springs, and is 
the extreme northern spur of the range of mountains 
bordering the valley of the Canadarago and Susquehanna 
on the west, and from it we obtain a fine view of the 
entire village and surroundings. 





i^ 


— 


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Tzz 






TT r..io:^ 


of 


C 


f- 




. 


- 


l-r 







-^ijjw: 



•X. WTLLIAX CrXLZV CRAIX. 

-:owiu Kae Lju^ :eifi for 



pretty 



rival the '- - of Keni: ind Snrrev in 



Ls *• CTiIIeiiw.»L* 



p: _ . ^ ■■ :-- 

region, yyi \ " 

Tears, there ^r. . 

to their honie? re-.. ■ - 

- Ccll^iwood : " i^r here, : 

jc^Tiial, "'Cc'Ic«i€l Criin ^^ 

elegant ho<=pitality. which w: _ 

thote who shared ir."* 

The social and persoosl ^laraeGsigiiiS of Coksiei 
Crain w^re indeed sadi as wooM hare made Mm % 
marked man in any eommioiity 

He was bom in the town c: '^i^Tfz Hf7£ir:rr 
Connrr. August olsr, 17^S, His lii^f r. I.^ms Cri^-. is 
mentioned in ~Benro?i"s Herkfin-rr C:zrrv ind Upper 
Mohiiwk V:Cey.** is a s k''f ::l- ph- 
ot General Israel Putman. ana as _-. --^ . :_- .:_.. 

of Jadsre of the Cocrt of Co-minvwi Pleas for sixTreeii yeiirs* 

The eariv ed ; riin wa^ 



jB8 .RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

intrusted to the Hev. John P. Spinner,* whose agency 
in forming the character and developing that elegant 
manner which so distinguished his pupil in after life was 
most marked. We read of Mr. Spinner, that " he was a 
graduate of the University of Mentz, and that during 
his six years' collegiate probation, he passed through a 
thorough course of studies in philosophy, mathematics, 
history, languages ancient and modern, divinity, juris- 
prudence, and medicine. He was tall in stature, digni- 
fied in deportment, and polished in his manners. lie 
possessed a capacious and vigorous mind. With the 
ancient and most of the modern continental languages, 
and especially the French, Spanish, and Italian, he was 
quite as familiar as with his own native German." We 
may add that Dominie Spinner was as well and favorably 
known to the population of Herkimer as a minister of 
the Gospel, as was his contemporary, Priest Nash, to the 
people of Otsego. After leaving the family of Mr. Spin- 
ner, young Grain pursued tlie study of the classics until 
prepared to enter the senior class at Yale, which it was 
then his intention to do; circumstances, however, induced 
him to change his mind, and he entered his father's 
oflice as a student of medicine, and practised for about 
two years. f His boyhood during the time not occupied 
by studies, was chieliy spent among the German settlers 
of Andrustown. From early associations, there grew up 
between him and those settlers relations of friendship 

* Father of Hon. F. E. Spinner, of Washington. 

f On one occasion, towards the spring of the year, accompanying 
his father on horseback for the purpose of visiting a patient on the 
westerly side of Canadarago Lake, being assured by the messenger 
who had come for them, that it was entirely safe, they crossed the 
lake on the ice at a point near the island Returning in about three 
hours after, they found that the ice had been completely broken up 
by the action of the east wina 



THE HON. WILLIAM CULLEN CEAIN. 89 

and mutual respect, never afterwards in any degree 
affected or diminished. In after years, many of those 
inimitable stories of the Colonel, which so delighted 
and convulsed with laughter his listeners, were reminis- 
cences of his youth spent among these Germans. For 
these people he had a real admiration, and often con- 
trasted the simplicity of their manners and the mutual 
confidence, subsisting between them in their business 
transactions, with the distrust and the more artful charac- 
ter of their Yankee neighbors. As an illustration of this, 
we have heard the Colonel say, that among these Germans, 
promissory notes were then almost unknown, the simple 
word of the borrower being considered ample security. 

These Teutons, between whom and the subject of 
our sketch there ex-isted such a strong bond of sympathy, 
are in fact a sterling race ; and to this day the customs 
of their ancestors and their national language is sacredly 
preserved. 

The "Settlement," for by that appsllation Andrus- 
town is still known, is only distant an hour's drive from 
the Springs, and the visitor here will be well repaid by 
making it the special object of a day's excursion. 

The ancestors of the Andrustown settlers, the Hoyers, 
Crims, Bells, and others, were a portion of that Protest- 
ant band, which, at the close of the seventeenth, and 
beginning of the eighteenth centuries, were driven from 
their homes in the Palatinate by the persecutions of the 
Pomish hierarchy. Queen Anne, of England, deeply 
sympathizing with these exiles, with whose prince she 
was nearly related, furnished to them, in the year 1708, 
at the expense of her government, ships for their con- 
veyance to the colony of New York. They penetrated 
into the County of Herkimer, as early as the year 1Y23, 
and there is reason to believe that the Andrustown colony 



90 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

dates its existence from that period. It is interest- 
ing to note that shoe-buckles, pipes, combs, and various 
ornaments worn and used by these refugees from the 
Palatinate, are still preserved in the tamilies of their 
descendants. In 1826, Colonel Grain married Miss 
Perses Narina Tunni cliff, daughter of William Tunni- 
cliff, Esq., and granddaughter of the Count George Ernst 
August Von Ranzau, an officer on the staff of the Baron 
Yon Riedesel, and author of the interesting Journal of 
Burgojne's Expedition contained in the archives of the 
great general staff at Berlin. His landed interests in 
Warren being considerable, Colonel Crain now gave up 
the practice of medicine, and devoted himself to agricul- 
ture, of which he was a real lover. Through successive 
years he did much to improve the breeds of cattle in 
this part of the State, and early brought hither imported 
stock. But these occupations were not permitted to 
interfere with his literary pursuits. 

He was an extensive reader, literally a devourer of 
books. His memory was remarkable, and it is much to 
be regretted that the information he possessed in regard 
to the local traditions of Warren, were not by him com- 
mitted to writing for the edification of those who sur- 
vive him. We have heard the Colonel say, that the 
creek which issues from the ground at Cull en, and dis- 
charges itself into Ward's Lake in this village, was by the 
Indians called the " Ocquionis," and we trust that this 
name may be revived ; and it would not be inappropri- 
ate to apply it to the street now known as Church Street. 
We shall here also rescue from oblivion a singular fact 
in connection with this stream, related by the Colonel, 
who received it from the venerable Paul Crim, of An- 
drustown, than whom there could be no more truthful 
witness. Crim told the Colonel that he had frequently 



THE HON. WILLIAM CULLEN CKAIN. 91 

when a boy, fislied with the Indians at the source of the 
Ocquionis at CuUen, and that he had canght beautiful 
sahnon, and in large quantities, there. It was a great 
fishing-place for the Indians, and the absence of all dams 
between that point and the Chesapeake Bay, permitted 
these fish to penetrate thus far at times of liigh water. 
Richard Schooley, who nearly reached his one-hundredth 
year, and who was noted as a hunter and trapper, also 
told the Colonel that he had seen, on the subsidence of 
the waters of this creek, thousands of these fish dead in 
its bed ; and on one occasion he saw a number of bears 
feeding upon them. With all the incidents of the bloody 
massacre of the Andrustown colonists by the Indians 
under Brant, in the month of July, 1775, the Colonel was 
also familiar. We have heard him relate that on this 
occasion, the Indians having killed one Bell, carried 
away captive to Canada his son, then about two years 
old, and that this child was retained by tlie savages in 
their wilderness home about ten years. When eventu- 
ally restored to his family, the traits and character of 
the Indian were so thoroughly stamped upon the boy 
as to be irremovable, notwithstanding all eflfbrts of the 
family. Thougli induced for a time to wear the garb of 
the white man, he would stealthily don the Indian cos- 
tume, and betake himself to the woods to fish and hunt. 
His uncle accompanying him in a boat on one of 
these fishing excursions, and not guiding the boat exactly 
in a manner to please this disciple of the aborigines, the 
boy immediately took from the bottom of the boat a 
loaded gun, and pointing it at the uncle, threatened him 
with instant death if he did not guide the boat diflfer- 
ently. This boy, not being able to adapt himself to 
civilized life, or wean his afifections from his friends of 
the forest, became moody and melancholy, and soon died. 



-92 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

Nothing could be more entertaining than to listen to 
Colonel Grain's recital of the early histor}^ of this neigh- 
borhood. He had received the facts from the generation 
who were themselves participators therein ; and nothing 
that had been told to him, ever escaped his remarkable 
memory. His colloquial powers were of the first order, 
and his social disposition led him to take great pleasure 
in imparting incidents of the past to others. The Colo- 
nel was through life an ardent Democrat of the JefFer- 
sonian school. Few men have been more thoroughly 
imbued with the principles and doctrines of the Demo- 
cratic party. They seemed to impart a directing influ- 
ence to the actions of his life ; and he had a thorough 
conviction that the}^ were necessary to the growth, pros- 
perity, and welfare of our country. For many years he 
occupied a j^rominent position in the field of politics. He 
filled with honor many places of distinction and trust, 
and exerted throughout a marked influence within his 
party. He was three times a member of the State Legis- 
lature ; in 1832,1845, and 1816. 

During the last term, he was Speaker of the Assem- 
bly, a position which he filled with eminent dignity and 
ability. 

He was a candidate for the State Senate in 1857, 
and in 1860 was the candidate of the united Democracy 
for Lieutenant-Governor. He represented the Demo- 
cracy many times in Democratic national conventions ; 
was several times Presidential elector upon the Demo- 
cratic ticket, and often represented his party in State 
conventions. It was in the capacity of a presiding oflficer 
over various deliberative bodies that Colonel Crain's 
peculiar fitness and easy dignity rendered him most con- 
spicuous. So true is this, that we are told by those who 
were present, that no one can call to mind the Legislative 



THE HON. WILLIAM CULLEN GRAIN. 93^ 

session of 1846, without a vivid recollection of the urbane 
and satisfactory manner in which the chair was filled 
by the portly person of the Hon. William C. Grain. 
The writer well remembers personally more than once 
observing the Colonel as lie entered some hall where were 
assembled the delegates of his party in convention — 
how his very aspect and carriage seemed to suggest him 
as the proper man to occupy the chair; a suggestion 
wdiich was seldom lost ; for when present, he was exceed- 
ingly apt to be nominated and elected by acclaim. It 
was on one occasion of this kind that he exhibited that 
happy facility of resource which distinguished him, and 
often turned seemingly embarrassing emergencies to his 
own advantage. To appreciate the incident, it will be 
necessary to state that his was a person of ponderous 
and liberal dimensions, a face glowing with genial intel- 
ligence, an elevated dome of thought — a tout ensemble 
bespeaking " a living minister of gratitude to the boun- 
ties of the earth, and the fullness thereof." It occurred 
at the conventions of the two rival factions of the Demo- 
cratic party at Syracuse in 1856. After the two fac- 
tions had harmonized and united, forming one body, 
Colonel Crain was called to the chair. On attempting 
to take his seat, however, it was discovered that the chair 
was not capacious enough to contain the portly person 
of the chairman. This, of course, was the cause of some 
merriment ; but so far from being disconcerted, the 
Colonel immediately rose and said, " Gentlemen, how 
can you expect that one chair will be large enough to 
contain the chairman of two conventions ? " 

Colonel Crain was alike a gentleman and a politician 
of the old school. His chief political services were per- 
formed at a time when integrity and economy in public 
affairs were at least the rule, and not the exception, and 



94 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITr. 

when his own party was most successful in its efforts to 
supply tliese principles to the administration of the 
government. Says one of the journals, " Together with 
Silas Wright, Michael Hoffman, Colonel Young, and 
others, Colonel Crain labored to bring about the conven- 
tion of 1846, which gave to the State in the main its 
present Constitution. He and the patriotic statesmen 
with whom he co-operated, had procured many substantial 
reforms and closed many avenues of expenditure. The 
unlimited power of the Legislature to create debt, pre- 
sented to their minds a most formidable danger, which 
nothing but a constitutional limitation could avert. To 
' pay as you go,' was their rule of political economy, and 
they endeavored to incorporate that rule into the organic 
law. These efforts to a large extent succeeded. But in- 
asmucli as we have seen, in the subsequent workings of 
our State government, much of corruption and malad- 
ministration, it is to be remembered that the authors of 
these efforts at amendment are not to be held responsible. 
It is not to be forgotten, that those who labored for the 
call of the convention sought to avert by the wisest 
provisions the very evils from which we have since 
suffered. They demanded limitations and restraints upon 
the debt-making power of the Lpgislature, checks upon 
expenditure, the abolition of useless offices, and a rigid 
economy in administration. These objects in their full 
scope and bearing they were unable to achieve by the 
ffnal action of the convention when assembled ; and 
hence have arisen most of the mischiefs which we have 
since experienced. Although space will not be allowed 
us to dwell upon this and other kindred subjects, enough 
has transpired since to fully vindicate the wisdom and 
foresight of these sterling patriots and leaders in the 
Democratic cause." 



THE HON. WILLIAM CDLLEN GRAIN. 95 

Of course, as a result of his long political career, 
Colonel Grain was intimately associated with many of 
the chief political leaders of the State and nation. 

Among his warm friends were Silas Wright, Azariah 
C. Flagg, William L. Marcy, John Yan Buren, and many 
others, several of whom still live to attest his worth. 
Their friendship was a common cohesion in a common 
cause. In fact, it was in the social sphere, and there 
alone, that Colonel Craiu was really to be known in his 
inmost nature ; and his success and popularity even with 
his own party were in our humble judgment greatly 
due to his social qualities, to the geniality of his dis- 
position, and the cordial and gentlemanly warmth of his 
address. He was pre-eminenily a man of popular man- 
ners, and had he been swayed by an ambition commen- 
surate with his power to please, it were difficult to assign 
limits to his career of popularity. But one of his most 
remarkable traits was a seeming freedom from selfish 
ambition. He scarcely put forth an eifort of his own for 
office ; he was not a political knight of the " golden spur," 
and never bought one jot of his way to station or emolu- 
ment. Besides, his insinuating address was not attended 
by its too frequent parasites, intrigue and duplicity. With 
him everything was open, generous, manly ; that which 
he seemed to be, that he was, a gentleman. It has been 
said of him that during one session of the Legislature, 
while measures affecting State finances were much under 
consideration, a brother member said to him, in allusion 
to one of these : " Colonel, we shall have to study a little 
'finesse,' to get that thing through." "Sir," was the 
reply, " I think we had better study finance, than finesse." 
It is said that finesse is unknown to a liberal mind ; 
certainly he never managed for his own preferment. He 
simply clung to his principles and creed, and wherever 



96 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

the vox populi decreed he should go, tliither he went, 
but aspired no furtlier. While others were laboring 
against head-winds on tlie sea of politics, seeking for car- 
goes of the coveted " loaves and fishes," he remained pas- 
sive; or in his choice of place, anchored upon his own 
home — 3'es, his own quiet home, which he could make 
so happy, and which those who visited it can well remem- 
ber was such an abode of elegant and courtly hospitality ; 
not that it vied in splendor with many of the more 
costly abodes of modern luxury. It was the man that 
distinguished the place, not the place the man ; and he 
never starved comfort to feed pride. Here it was that 
Colonel Grain could be known as he was, and where those 
who knew him will never forget him. Here the guests 
of Richfield often resorted to him; here all, of high and 
low degree, received his courteous kindness, while, with 
a manner truly patrician, he asserted his title of a true 
Democrat. One of the critics of human nature holds 
that men of business make their movements in straight or 
direct lines ; men of leisure, in curved or graceful lines. 
Certainly the Colonel was a man of considerable leisure, 
and as certainly one of uncommon politeness and grace 
of demeanor, although a countryman by taste and educa- 
tion ; at once a Cincinnatus and a Chesterfield. Yet 
this was not all : he was a man of unusual powers of 
conversation ; though at times perhaps a little inclined 
to monopolize the discussion — a little intolerant of 
opposition; yet if he assumed these as his privileges, 
there was no man to whom we could more readily or 
profitably grant them. For his discourse was truly in- 
structive, engaging, at times eloqnent. He seldom 
attempted oratory, which perhaps he might have done 
successfully. But he afforded a happy example of the 
power of conversation to influence the minds of others, 



THE HON. WILLIAM CULLEN GRAIN. 97 

whether of private friends and neighbors, or distinguished 
public men. "With a mind naturally quick and compre- 
hensive, he combined a memory which we may style 
photographic ; that is, retaining every impression it 
received from the light of knowledge. His leisure and 
retirement afibrded him ample time for reading. Books, 
journals, and periodicals were his constant companions, 
and his political library was literally devoured to the 
bone. Few men could have been better schooled in the 
political history of our country. 

The precepts of Jefferson, Jackson, Madison, Hamil- 
ton, and a multitude of other statesmen of all parties, 
were his, almost by heart. And the fundamental prin- 
ciples of our institutions, the language of state papers, 
documents, and constitutions, were to him as household 
words. He liked others, also, who were good talkers, or 
at least who could do something indicating some mind. 
He had a thorough contempt for empty show without 
merit, even to the adornment of the outer man. As for 
example, we once heard him say ''he had no admiration 
for ten dollars' worth of beaver on ten cents' worth of 
brains." 

Sometimes we have thought he had. a dislike for the 
extremes of dress and fashion, even among the gentler 
sex ; although with ladies, as with men, he was decidedly 
popular. His conversation was none the less entertain- 
ing upon the daily affairs of life ; as he dispensed the 
hospitalities of his table ; as he talked to friends and 
guests of the family ; as he dealt out cheerful badinage to 
the dames of the household, while they held opposing 
opinions and basted sophistry with their own needles. 
Everywhere there was a certain aptness of expression, a 
steady flow of good sense w^ith just enough of the spice 
and salt to season a true man. 



98 RICHFIELD SPKINGS AND VICINITY. 

Those who knew Colonel Grain in his own house, and 
with his own family, can remember, but can never impart 
to others, the emotions of pleasure and gratitude that 
filled their hearts. 'No reproduction can be made of the 
scene and the surroundings, no resuTne of his reviving 
discourse, save to the eye and ear of memory. 

William C. Grain died on the IGth of March, 1865. 
His five surviving children' are Mrs. Henry J. Bowers of 
Gooperstown, the Hon. D. Jones Grain of Xew York, 
Mrs. John E. AYarren of Chicago, II. T. Grain, Es(|,. of 
the same place, and Dr. William B. Grain of Richfield 
Springs. His sister, Mrs. Baker, a widow of the late 
Hon. AV^illiam Baker, resides at Utica, in this State. 



G. R. T. HEWES. 



The oldest citizen that ever lived and died in the 
town of Richfield, was George Robert Twelve Hewes, who 
was born in the city of Boston, Xov. 5th, 1731. Mr. 
Lossing, in his History of the Revolution, says of Mr. 
Hewes : 

" His early opportunities for acquiring education 
were very small. To Mrs. Tinkum, wife of the town- 
crier, he was indebted for his knowledge of reading 
and writing. Farming, fishing, and shoemaking seem 
to have been the chief employment of his earlier years. 
In 1758 he attempted to enlist in the army to serve 
against the French, but did not " pass muster ; " he was 
equally unsuccessful in attempts to join the navy, and 
then resumed shoemaking. In the various disturbances 
in Boston from the time of the passage of the Stamp Act, 
Hewes, who was both excitable and patriotic, was gener- 
ally concerned. He was among the foremost in the 



a. R. T. HEWES. 



99 



destruction of the tea at Boston. Disguised as Indians, 
fifteen or twenty in number, they boarded several ships, 
and so vigorously did these men ply themselves, that 
within the space of three hours, three hundred and forty- 
two chests of tea were broken up, and their contents 
thrown into the dock. When the Americans invested 
the city, and many patriots were shut up under the vigil- 
ant eyes of the British officers, Hewes was among them. 
He managed to escape, and entered the naval service of 
the colonies as a privateer, in which he was somewhat 
successful Afterwards he joined the army, and was 
stationed for a time at West Point, under General 
McDougal. He was never in any land battle, except with 
the Cow Boys and Skinners, as they were called, of the 
neutral ground of West Chester. 

"After the Kevolution he returned to Boston, and 
again engaged in business upon the sea. 

"He, like Kinneson, was one of the thousands of 
that time utterly unknown to tlie world, except within 
the small love-circle of family relationship and neighborly 
regard ; and even this present slight embalming of their 
memory would not have occurred, had not the contin- 
gency of great longevity distinguished them from other 
men. Although personally unknown, their deeds are 
felt in the political blessings we enjoy. ^ * * Ke- 
turning to the residence of his son, G. E. T. Hewes, 
Jr., at Kichfield, Otsego County, :^^. Y., he soon went 
down to the grave." 

His son, G. K. T. Hewes, Jr., was for many years a 
resident of this place, and lived in a house that stood 
nearly opposite the present school-house in the western 
part of this village. This house was long since removed. 

Old Mr. Hewes died Kov. 5th, 1840, aged one hun- 
dred and nine years and two months, as can now be seen 
on his tombstone in the church-yard. 



98 EICHFIELD SFKINGS AND VICINITY. 

Those who knew Colonel Grain in his own house, and 
with his own family, can remember, but can never impart 
to others, the emotions of pleasure and gratitude that 
filled their hearts. No reproduction can be made of the 
scene and the surroundings, no resume of his reviving 
discourse, save to the eye and ear of memory. 

William C. Grain died on the 16th of March, 1865. 
His five surviving children- are Mrs. Henry J. Bowers of 
Gooperstown, the Hon. D. Jones Grain of Xew York, 
Mrs. John E. Warren of Ghicago, E. T. Grain, Esq,, of 
the same place, and Dr. William B. Grain of Eichfield 
Springs. His sister, Mrs. Baker, a widow of the late 
Hon. William Baker, resides at Utica, in this State. 



G. E. T. HEWES. 



The oldest citizen that ever lived and died in the 
town of Eichfield, was George Eobert Twelve Hewes, who 
was born in the city of Boston, Nov. 5th, 1731. Mr. 
Lossing, in his History of the Eevolution, says of Mr. 
Hewes : 

" His early opportunities for acquiring education 
were very small. To Mrs. Tinkum, wife of the town- 
€rier, he was indebted for his knowledge of reading 
and writing. Farming, fishing, and shoemaking seem 
to have been the chief employment of his earlier years. 
In 1758 he attempted to enlist in the army to serve 
against the French, but did not " pass muster ; " he was 
equally unsuccessful in attempts to join the navy, and 
then resumed shoemaking. In the various disturbances 
in Boston from the time of the passage of the Stamp Act, 
Hewes, who was both excitable and patriotic, was gener- 
ally concerned. He was among the foremost in the 



G. R. T. HEWES. 99 

destruction of the tea at Boston. Disguised as Indians, 
fifteen or twenty in number, thej boarded several ships, 
and so vigorously did these men ply themselves, that 
within the space of three hours, three hundred and forty- 
two chests of tea were broken up, and their contents 
thrown into the dock. When the Americans invested 
the city, and many patriots were shut up under the vigil- 
ant eyes of the British ofiicers, Hewes was among them. 
He managed to escape, and entered the naval service of 
the colonies as a privateer, in which he was somewhat 
successful. Afterwards he joined the army, and was 
stationed for a time at West Point, under General 
McDougal. He was never in any land battle, except with 
the Cow Boys and Skinners, as they were called, of the 
neutral ground of West Chester. 

"After the Kevolution he returned to Boston, and 
again engaged in business upon the sea. 

" He, like Kinneson, was one of the thousands of 
that time utterly unknown to the world, except within 
the small love-circle of family relationship and neighborly 
regard ; and even this present slight embalming of their 
memory would not have occurred, had not the contin- 
gency of great longevity distinguished them from other 
men. Although personally unknown, their deeds arc 
felt in the political blessings we enjoy. * -^ -^ Ee- 
turning to the residence of his son, G. R. T. Hewes, 
Jr., at Richfield, Otsego County, X. Y., he soon went 
down to the grave." 

His son, G. R. T. Hewes, Jr., was for many years a 
resident of this place, and lived in a house that stood 
nearly opposite the present school-house in the western 
part of this village. This house was long since removed. 

Old Mr. Hewes died Nov. 5th, 1840, aged one hun- 
dred and nine years and two months, as can now be seen 
on his tombstone in the church-vard. 



100 KICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



HON. JONAS CLELAND. 

Jonas Cleland was a native of Massacnusetts, and 
was born in 1780. His father, Samuel Cleland, emi- 
grated to the State of New York, and settled in the town 
of Warren, Herkimer County, in 1788, with his family, 
consisting of Norman, Salmon, Jonas, the subject of 
our sketch, Martin, and Moses. 

Norman died in 1831, aged sixty-two. Salmon went 
to his final rest at the advanced age of eighty-four. 
Martin died when about twenty years old, and Moses 
still survives." They were the first New England fam- 
ily that settled in the town of Warren. They lived first 
on the farm now occupied by Martin Goes, a short dis- 
tance east of Richfield Springs, where they remained 
about one year, when they removed to Jordonville. 
Near the ruins of a house in Henderson, that had been 
destroyed by the Indians, they found the bleached bones 
of a man, which they buried, supposed to have been 
those of a Mr. Bell — one of the seven families that set- 
tled in Henderson prior to the Revolutionary War. 

The republic being then in its infancy, disruptive 
forces were yet active ; and new institutions were encoun- 
tering the difficulties of a recent formation. Born at 
such a period, the necessities of the day and peculiar 
exigencies of the times were well calculated to develop 
in the ambitious a spirit of self-reliance and force of char- 
acter that so distinguished young Cleland. 

The scarcity and defectiveness of educational institu- 
tions, left him very much to his own efforts to acquire 
knowledge, and a fitness for future usefulness and suc- 
cess. The degree of energy and determination with 
* Since died. 



HON. JONAS CLELAND. 101 

which he encountered these early disadvantages, is best 
seen in the lio^ht of his lono;; and honorable career. Per- 
ceiving that he must be the architect of his own fortune, 
he went manfully to work, acquired a good education, 
and was noted for industry and perse verence in every 
laudable undertaking ; thus establishing a character that 
entitled him to the confidence of the public. 

On reaching his majority, he was at once admitted to 
the seat of magistracy in Herkimer County, which office 
he held for forty years in succession, during which time 
he never had a suit reversed. He was elected a member 
of the State Legislature in 1814, and held the office sev- 
eral terms ; was an ardent supporter of the Erie Canal 
project, then in agitation. In one of his speeches in sup- 
port of this canal, he made this prediction : " that before 
1875, tea from China and Japan would come to 'New 
York by way of the Pacific Ocean, the great lakes, and 
the Erie Canal." Previous to the formation of the 
Republican party he was a Democrat of the old school, 
but in 1856 was a firm supporter of the Republican 
platform, and his affiliations continued with this party 
through the remainder of his life. He represented his 
town in the Board of Supervisors for several years ; was 
also judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Herkimer 
County. While acting as judge, Nathaniel Foster, the 
renowned hunter and trapper of Northern New York, was 
tried for shooting Peter Waters, a St. Eegis Indian, in 
the spring of 1834. 

The Hon. Hiram Denio, the circuit judge, presided, 
assisted by Jonas Cleland, John B. Dygert, Abijah 
Osborn, and Richard Henderson, judges of the Common 
Pleas. During the trial, the prisoner's counsel asked one 
of the witnesses on the stand if he heard this Indian 
threaten the life of Foster. Objection being made, 



102 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

Judge Denio sustained the objection, and ruled that 
such evidence was not admissible, without consulting the 
other judges. Judge Cieland dissented from the decision, 
and was sustained bj two of the other judges, thus over- 
ruling the decision of the presiding judge. 

He was also agent of the Henderson and Douglas 
( state, and superintended the erection of the mansion 
called the " Henderson Home." 

He was twice married, first to Lydia Talcott, in 1 805, 
who lived but two years, and again in 1818 to Abigail 
Tisdale, of Connecticut, by whom he had two sons and 
one daughter. 

Judge Cieland died on Sunday, April 25th, 1858, aged 
seventy-eight years; was confirmed by Bishop Wain- 
wright, August 5th, 1853. A short time previous to his 
death, although apparently in his usual health, he called 
his youngest son to his side, saying, " This is the last day 
that I shall be with you in this tabernacle of clay. It is my 
request that you go to Richfield Springs, and ascertain the 
condition of John W. Tunnicliflf" (Mr. Tunniclifi" was very 
ill at this time), who was a relative by marriage. They 
were both members of the Episcopal Church. 

On learning tha!: Mr. Tunnicliff was not expected to 
live, lie said, " I shall cross the river first, and be there 
to welcome him home." He then wrote a farewell letter 
to his son at Frankfort ; sent for Mr. Hyde, the under- 
taker, and gave full directions in relation to his funeral ; 
ordered the suit brought into the room, that was to clothe 
his remains after death ; wrote in his Prayer Book the 
names of those he wished to bear him to his final resting"- 
place ; sank back in his chair, in the full possession of all 
his faculties, and quietly ceased to breathe. The death 
of such men fills the heart of all with inexpressible sad- 
ness, and leaves a vacancy, that time alone can obliterate. 




£n§ f "bj J C B-attre .^e^ ■ 



C^^y^^yC^t^c^u^ ^^^^ 



HON. JAMES HYDE. 103 

Judge Cleland was kind, courteous, and charitable to all , 
and his many private virtues will long be remembered 
by those who knew him. 

His daughter, Lydia, wife of the late . Prof. John 
Abbott, now resides with her son, George C. Abbott, in 
Michigan. 

E. T. Cleland, the eldest son, was an attorney, and 
resided at Frankfort. Was clerk of Herkimer County 
one term. He died in 1861, leaving one son, Charles 
B. Cleland. 

George M. Cleland, the youngest son, now resides on 
the old homestead of his father in Jordonville. Has 
filled various offices in his town and county. Was 
elected sheriff in 1861, and was, previous to that time, 
supervisor and justice of the peace of the town of 
Warren. Was again elected to the said offices, his term 
expiring the present year. He still uses the same 
"desk" and office room that his worthy father used 
during the protracted period of his official life. 



HON. JAMES HYDE. 



Prominent in the list of distinguished men of Otsego 
"County, stands the name of the Hon. James Hyde, of the 
town of Pichiield. Through a long line of renowned 
ancestry, he was born at Franklin, Connecticut, May 26th, 
1797. {Chancellor Walwoy'Ws Genealogy of the Hyde 
Family, vol. i.) His father removed to Richfield in the 
year 1800, and held various local offices in the town, and 
twice represeuted the County of Otsego in the State 
Legislature. He died iu 1826. 

The subject of this sketch was but a child when his 
parents removed to this new section, surrounded by 



104 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

primitive forests, far from the privileges of high schools 
and other facilities of education. But he early manifested 
a desire for books, and eagerly pursued the various 
branches of an English education. Surrounded by the 
hallowed and priceless influences of Christian parents 
and associates, through childliood and youth he was ever 
exempt from the vices and moral pollutions that so gen- 
erally vitiate the youth of the present day. While yet in 
his minority he left the paternal roof, and for several 
years was engaged as merchants' clerk in the city of 
Buffiilo. Accurate and prompt in business, and ambi- 
tious for knowledge, his spare hours were occupied in 
the use of books, whose charms were augmented by their 
perusal. He longed for greater privileges of education 
than he had ever enjoyed ; but this was never granted, 
and became a source of deep regret in later years. But 
few ever attain to the degree of proficiency that he pos- 
sessed under similar circumstances, the legitimate fruits of 
a determined spirit whose resolutions overcame all obsta- 
cles in their progress. The higher branches were at length 
attained, and his youthful days were occupied in the 
investigation of the sciences, and in the study of nature 
and gaining the elements of philosophical knowledge 
from her original economy and laws. In the year 1818, 
having reached his majority, he returned to Eichfield, 
and immediately engaged in the mercantile trade, which, 
however, was pursued but a short period of time. Inspired 
with a restless ambition for preferment, his attention was 
directed to the study of law, and the works of Blackstone, 
Co wen, and other eminent jurists were the constant 
companions of his leisure hours while in trade ; and sub- 
sequently his time was given exclusively to reading in 
the leading law-offices of the county seat. In 1831, he was 
duly admitted to practice, and opened an office at Rich- 



HON. JAMES HYDE. 105 

field Springs, where be at once received a successful 
patronage. At the age of twenty-live he was married to 
Miss Fanny Beardsley, daughter of Obadiah Beardsley, 
of this town, and sister of Judges Levi and Samuel 
Beardsley of Utica. As previously noticed, she is at 
present the only surviving member of her father's famil3\ 

In 1820 he was initiated into the mysteries of " Free 
Masonry," and was ever a steadfast adherent and advo- 
cate of this ancient and honorable institution, notwith- 
standing the violent persecutions that arose in 1828, from 
the mysterious disappearance of William Morgan, whose 
fate was unjustly attributed to the relentless rigor of the 
laws that were supposed to govern this secret organiza- 
tion. The history of this persecution is familiar to 
every intelligent reader. It is sufficient to know that 
this ancient order had its origin at the building of the 
Holy Temple of Jerusalem, and has been perpetuated 
through the divine dispensation to the present day, and 
still claims the respect of the civilized world. And not 
only so, but eminent and distinguished men of all Chris- 
tian nations have been and are still established patrons of 
the order. 

James Hyde was an ardent admirer of Masonry, 
embracing as it does the liberal arts and sciences, and is in 
truth the great auxiliary of the Christian church. He 
was master of the lodge at Richfield Springs for many 
years, and was also one of the Grand Wardens of the 
Grand Lodge of Masons of the State of New York. His 
first votes were given to the Democratic party. Previous 
to the campaign of 1828, he had taken no very active 
position in the political field. He was an ardent sup- 
porter of General Jackson, and the platform on which he 
was elected President of the United States, in 1828. 
Under his administration, he was appointed the first 



106 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

postmaster of Eichfield Springs, then known as East 
Richtield. He held this office for more than twelve 
years; and until the accession of the Whig party to 
power, under General Harrison, when he resigned. 

He was captain and lieutenant-colonel of artillery 
in the State militia, his commission being signed by 
DeWitt Clinton, then Governor of the State. He was 
appointed master in chancery by William L. Marcy, 
was removed by Governor Seward, and reappointed by 
Governor Bouck, retaining the office until its abolish- 
ment, by the adoption of the State Constitution, in 1847. 
In May of that year, he was elected judge of Otsego 
County, holding his position until January, 1852. 

He served as justice of the peace, at different times, 
comprising a period of more than thirty years. At the 
time of the formation of the Eepublican party in 1855 
he unreservedly embraced its principles, and was one of 
its leading advocates the remainder of his life. 

He was ever regarded as a man of strict integrity and 
honor, and his decisions in courts of justice were usually 
regarded as final. A man of exalted liberality in every 
good work, he was in spirit and in truth a consistent 
Christian philanthropist. It is true he was not above all 
the prejudices and influences of education, but his was 
one of those pure, beneficent spirits, which from their 
nature belong to the whole of mankind. He was 
indeed a noble example of exalted virtue, with a soul 
inspired with fraternal ardor for the best interests of 
those by whom he was surrounded. Judge Hyde was a 
man of more than ordinary ability, especially as an emi- 
nent counsellor in the realm of jurisprudence. In a 
brief sketch of men of this class, it is extremely difficult 
to present a just view of the many private virtues that 
adorn their general character. " With a hand open as day 



HON. JAMES HYDE. lOT 

for melting charity," the poor always found in Judge 
Hyde a true friend, ever ready to bestow on the unfor- 
tunate and afflicted, his generosity being measured only 
by his means. 

He did not submit to commands because the Law- 
giver was powerful and con Id punish disobedience, nor 
yet simply because He was just and His commands equit- 
able ; but his spirit voluntarily went forth to co-operate 
in all the designs of goodness, with a pure Christian 
motive. He loved God, not merely as his great benefac- 
tor, but as the only source of hope and felicity to all sen- 
tient, rational existence. 

He loved mankind, not only because they were of 
the same race as himself, but because they were suscep- 
tible of virtue and happiness in this life, and heirs of an 
eternal inheritance in the future state. This putting 
forth of the affections from and above himself, was his 
ennobling and distinctive characteristic. He was a lib- 
eral supporter of the Presbyterian Church at Richfield 
Springs, and was a regular attendant upon its services. 
He died May 1st, 1862. 

He sleeps in the village church-yard beneath a plain 
marble monument, overshadowed by the lofty branches 
of vigorous maples planted by his own hand, and that 
now guard the last resting-place of the honored dead. 

The following tribute to his memory was furnished 
by a talented lady friend in l^ew York,^ who is a regu- 
lar contributor to several leading magazines : 

When the soft sigh of September 
Stirs each bough of gleaming gold, 

Then the maple-trees remember 
That beneath the grassy mould 

* Ethel Lynn. 



108 EICHFTELT) SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

Lies the hand which set them thither 

Slender saplings long ago ; 
And their leaves like tear-drops tender 

Lightly fall and rest below. 
There a spirit's mortal robing 

Lies where dear familiar feet 
Linger lovingly about it. 

Tread each day the shadowed street. 
There low voices hushed and softly 

Tell of good deeds shyly done — 
Of an honored life unsullied — 

Of a crown untarnished won — 
Of the mystic tie unbroken — 

Of the hand no bribe could soil — 
Active brain forever busy 

Wrong to right and craft to foil ; — 
Whisper of the mansion ready, 

With its pearly door ajar. 
With the Master's mark upon it — 

A footstep roughened by a scar. 
Then drop above him, kindly Autumn, 

Ruddy, flushed, and golden leaves : 
When a good man goes up higher 

Only tender heart-blood grieves — 
Weave no pall to lie above him. 

But a glory like the sun, 
Or a conqueror's robe of triumph 

When the fight at last is won. 



WHEELER PALMER, M. D., 

Son of Christopher Palmer, was born in Colchester, 
Connecticut, in 1791. "While still a child his parents 
emigrated to the State of 'New York, and settled in the 
town of Exeter, Otsego County. 

At the age of nineteen he commenced the study of 
medicine with Dr. John B. Elwood, of Warren, after- 
wards with Dr. Seldin Graves, of Richfield, and subse- 



WHEELER PALMER, M.D. 11 1 

quentlj with Dr. Joseph White, of Cherry Yalley, com- 
prisiDg a period of three years ; and graduated with the 
highest honors of the censors of the Otsego County Medi- 
cal Society at Cooperstown, in May, 1817, Joseph White 
being president of the society. He immediately com- 
menced the practice of medicine and surgery in company 
with Dr. Graves, of Brighton, his former preceptor ; 
and at the expiration of six months bought out the entire 
interest of his partner, and continued a successful and 
growing practice alone. Eelying entirely upon his own 
resources, without the adventitious aids of fortune, he 
soon found himself the master of an extensive field of 
usefulness in the medical profession. In March, 1818, 
he was married to a Miss Brown, of Plainfield, who 
died in 1832, leaving two sons. In 1834, he was again 
married to Mrs. Hartwell, of Richfield Springs, who died 
in October, 1858. 

When Dr. Palmer was a boy about sixteen years of 
age, while driving a yoke of oxen for his father, accident- 
ally one of them stepped on his foot, but nothing serious 
was apprehended from the slight injury, although it 
remained painful at times; but a small tumor finally 
appeared. He at once consulted Dr. Delos White and 
other distinguished surgeons, with a view to its removal ; 
but nothing was done, and it continued many years 
without material change. At length it began to enlarge 
and became extremely painful, bleeding profusely at 
times. In October, 1859, he went to Albany, where it 
was operated upon by Dr. March, at the medical col- 
lege ; but inflammation supervened, followed by typhoid 
fever, which terminated fatally, January 5th, 1860. 

His remains were buried at Richfield Springs. In 
the death of Dr. Palmer, the medical profession lost one 
of its most worthy and honored members ; the church 



112 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

a consistent and devoted Christian, the commnnity in 
which he lived a beloved, wortliy citizen and eminent 
physician, whose tender sympathy in their hours of 
affliction, will long be remembered by many families in 
this vicinity, who cherish his memory with the most 
sincere affection and esteem. 



JOHN GANO 



Was a native of France, and emigrated to the United 
States and settled in New Jersey a short time previous 
to the Revolutionary War. He removed with his family 
to the town of Richfield, in 1791, and, in company with 
James Williamson,* purchased six hundred acres of land 
in Schuyler's patent, lot No. 8. Mr. Gano built a log- 
cabin near the site of the present residence of Mr. 
Allison Orendorf, where he continued to reside until his 
death, leaving three sons and three daughters. James, 
the eldest son, was the father of James H. and Benjamin 
Gano, who are now residents of this village. James H. 
Gano now owns and occupies a portion of the land that 
was embraced in the original purchase of his grandfather 
in 1791. 

JOSEPH LAYTON 

Was born in New Jersey, February 26th, 1774. Removed 
with his parents when a child to Hoosick, N. Y. Remem- 
bered the battle of Bennington, that was fought on his 
father's farm. 

Emigrated to Richfield in 1795, where he purchased 
a farm of 210 acres on the west bank of Canadarago Lake, 

* Grandfather of Cyrus Williamson, of the town of Warren. 



JOHN GARRET. 113 

where he continued to reside until his death, June 12th, 
1859. Had four children; two now living. Harvey 
Lajton now owns and occupies the original estate of his 
father. 



JOHJS" GAEKET 



Was a passenger on the vessel with John Tunnicliff. 
He purchased a tract of land in the valley of the Butter- 
nut Creek, and was the founder of Garrets ville, Otsego 
County, N. Y. 

Mr. Garret and wife were taken prisoners by the 
Indians, during the Revolution, and were absent from 
their home seven years. 

At the time of their capture, as they saw the Indians 
approaching their cabin, Mrs. Garret, seizing her clock 
and silver-ware, fled out of the back door, concealing the 
silver under an inverted pig-trough, and the clock was 
thrown hastily under the garden fence, where they were 
found on their return from captivity. 



GERSHON" SKINI^ER. 



Gershon Skinner * was a Revolutionary soldier, and 
lived at Little Falls. Held the commission of adjutant 
in the army. Was a miller by trade, and occupied a 
large stone mill at the above place, in 1778. This mill 
was a place of refuge during the war for women and 
children, and served also as a fort. In the autumn of 

* Grandfather of Mr. John Skinner, of the town of Columbia, who 
has now in his possession a trunk and pocket-book, rescued from the 
burning mill, the property of his grandfather. 
8 



114 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

1778, it was attacked by about 500 Indians and Tories, 
who finally succeeded in overcoming the feeble garrison, 
killing three men, and taking prisoners the helpless 
women and children, about forty in number, who were 
soon after released, and returned to their homes. After a 
severe hand-to-hand conflict with four savages, Mr. Skin- 
ner succeeded in making his escape by plunging into a 
dark recess, in the lower part of the mill, where he 
remained nearly under water, until driven out by the 
flames of the burning building over his head. 

Mr. Skinner died in Columbia in 1824, at an advanced 



JOHN KUSSELL. 



Among the number of passengers who came to this 
country from England on board the ship with Mr. Tun- 
nicliff in 1758, were John Kussell and George Johnson, 
who were at this time young men. John Russell was a 
carpenter by trade, and was employed at once by Mr. 
Tunnicliff" at the " Oaks." A dwelling was erected, pre- 
vious to the building of a saw-mill, and the lumber for 
the house was all sawed by Mr. Russell, with a " whip 
sawP He continued in the service of Mr. Tunnicliff 
three years, receiving one acre of land for each day's 
work. The land thus purchased is located in the 
extreme western part of the town of Otsego, on the 
" Otego'''' Creek, originally embracing 900 acres, on which 
John Russell continued to reside until his deaths in 1832, 
leaving eight children. Two of his sons, William and 
Thomas, occupied the original land of their father's pur- 
chase, until their death. William Russell died March 
16th, 1859, aged seventy-two years three months and ten 
days. Thomas Russell died December 5th, 1857, aged 
fifty-eight years. 



DEACON JONATHAN BLGOMFIELD. 115 



GEOKGE JOHNSON 

Ptjkchased a tract of land near Oaksville, abont four 
miles south of Canadarago Lake, where he erected the 
mills now owned by P. E. Johnson, a grandson. 



DEACON JONATHAN BLOOMFIELD 

Emigrated from New Jersey in 1790, and settled 
near this village, in the town of Warren, Herkimer 
County. Here he purchased a farm of 120 acres, of Mr. 
Hull Thomas.* Two of his sons, Samuel and Joseph, 
continued to ocupy this farm until their death, it hav- 
ing been divided between these brothers. Soon after 
his settlement, Jonathan Bloomfield built the saw-mill on 
Ocquionis Creek, known as the Bloomiield Mill. While 
the dam for this mill was being constructed, Mr. Bloom- 
field sent his son Joseph (a lad only nine years of age) 
into the adjacent forest with his hatchet to cut brush to 
be used in the construction of the dam. 

He had been at work but a short time, however, when 
he was startled by a huge black bear, slowly approach- 
ing, but a short distance away. He immediately fled to 
the mill, breathless with fear, where he related the 
adventure, and his narrow escape. Joseph Bloomfield 
died July 26th, 1862, aged seventy-two years, leaving 
one son, Mr. Allen Bloomfield,t who is now a resident 
of this village. 

* Descendants of Mr. Thomas are now residents of the town of 
Winfield. 

f David C. Bloomfield, a younger brother of Allen Bloomfield, was 
accidentally shot while out sporting in the woods on his father's 
farm, in the summer of 1854. He was twenty-eight years of age. 



116 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

Deacon Samuel Bloomfield inherited that portion of 
his father's estate including the "' MilV He died 
December 23d, 1866, aged eighty-two years and four 
months, leaving two sons and tliree daughters. Mr. 
Bloomfield was an exemplary member and officer of the 
Presbyterian Church of this village for many years. 



EICHAKD SCHOOLEY 



Was among the first settlers of the town of "Warren, 
where he purchased a farm, about two miles north of 
Kichfield Springs. He had eleven children, of whom 
but one son (Wm. Schooley, Esq.) and three daughters 
are now living. 

Soon after his settlement here, an incident occurred, 
worthy of notice. The forests at this time were full of 
wild animals, who frequently trespassed upon the culti- 
vated fields of the settlers. On one occasion, two of Mr. 
Schooley's sons, John and Henry, lads of thirteen and 
fifteen years^ discovered that their father's corn-field 
had been ravaged by some native of the forest. They 
determined to watch for the intruder, and, if possible, 
ascertain its true character. At sun-down the following 
evening, preparing themselves with their father's gun 
heavily loaded, and some pieces of boards for a seat, they 
proceeded to the corn-field, and located themselves in the 
top of a wide-spreading beech-tree that stood on the bor- 
der of the field. Here they awaited the approach of the 
trespasser. The night was dark, and nothing disturbed 
the stillness of the hours but the monotonous hum of 
insect life. About ten o'clock they heard the crackling 
of brush in the edge of the neighboring forest, and the 
hoarse snuffins: of some large animal, as it approached 



THE MASON FAMILY. 11 T 

the corn-field. Peering through the thick darkness, 
they indistinctly discerned some dark object slowly mov- 
ing among the corn. Deliberately pointing the gun 
in the direction of the object, they fired ; a brief rustling 
noise followed, and all was again silent. With emotions 
of trepidation, they cautiously descended the tree, and 
fled to their father's house. Here they procured a lan- 
tern, and arming themselves with pitch-for'ks, returned 
to the corn-field, where they found the lifeless body of 
a large black bear, which they dragged in triumph to 
their home. 

Kichard Schooley died in December, 1853, aged 
ninty-five years. 



THOMAS FKEEMA:Nr 



Was born in 1791. Emigrated to the town of Warren 
in 1807, and still resides where he first settled, near the 
village. Is a mason by trade. 



THE MASON FAMILY. 

Sampson Mason (American root of this family) was a 
dragoon in Oliver Cromwell's army, and supposed to 
belong to his " troop,'' at the battle of '' Marston Moor;' 
in 1644. The precise date of his arrival in this country, 
and settlement in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Mass., is 
unknown. A " will;' executed by him July 25th, 1649, 
and on record in the above county, makes his settlement 
anterior to this date. 

He had thirteen children. Died Sept. 15th, 1676, at 



118 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITy. 

an advanced age. Six of his sons reached the age of 
from seventy to ninty-four years. 

Isaac Mason,^^ a lineal descendant, settled in the town 
of Warren, Herkimer County, N. Y., on lands adjoining 
the Cruger estate, on the north, in 1804. His youngest 
son, James Mason, is now a resident of this village. 



JOHN BATES 

Emigrated from Sharon, Connecticut, in 1830, and set- 
tled on the east shore of Canadarago Lake, where he pur- 
chased three hundred acres of land, on which he con- 
tinned to reside until his death, September 18th, 1856, 
leaving five sons and three daughters. 

This rich and highly cultivated estate, now in pos- 
session of two of his sons, is regarded as one of the 
finest farms in this part of the State. The Bates bro- 
thers are noted as extensive stock-raisers, and dealers in 
the best qualities of imported cattle. 



TUNIS YEOMAN 



"VYas a native of Schoharie County, K. Y. At the age of 
ten years, in 1776, in company with three of his brothers, 
he was made prisoner by the Indians and taken to Can- 
ada. "While on the way, a younger brother cried to 
return home, was taken to one side by a Tory, his throat 
cut, and his body thrown over a log, where it was left. 
The writer heard Mr. Yroman relate this circumstance. 
His parents were both killed by the Indians near their 

* Isaac Mason died July 18tli, 1866, aged eiglity-nine years four 
months and twenty-seven days. 



OLCOTT AND ALFOED CHAMBERLAIN. 119. 

residence. The mother was struck on the head several 
times with a tomahawk, before she felL Tunis was- 
kept a prisoner one year and returned to his friends. 
He subsequently removed to the town of Warren, Herki- 
mer County, then to Columbia, and died in July, 1866, 
aged one hundred years, leaving two sons and four 
daughters. One son* and three daughters are now. 
living. 



HON. OLCOTT C. CHAMBERLAIN 

Was born in Colchester, Connecticut, November 12th, 
1793; removed with his father's family to this town, 
where they arrived July 6th, 1797, and settled on a farm 
w^hen it was a wilderness, and on which he resided until 
his death. 

He was one of the earliest members of our County 
Agricultural Society, and gave it his earnest and undi- 
vided support, and for a time was Yice-President of the 
State Agricultural Societ}^ In the years 1841 and 1848 
was one of the Kepresentatives of this county in the 
Assembly. Mr. Chamberlain was married in 1813, to 
Miss Cornelia Tunnicliff,t by whom he had four sons 
and two daughters. He died in 1860, aged sixty-seven 
years. 

HON. ALFORD CHAMBERLAIN, 

Son of Olcott C. Chamberlain, was born at Richfield 
Springs, April 10th, 1821. In 1817 he was married to a 
daughter of Dr. Ransom, of Camden, Oneida County, and 

* Peter Vrornan, Esq. , of Soutli Columbia. 

f Daughter of William Tunuicliff, tlie first settler of Riclifield 
Springs. 



120 KICUFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

became a resident of that place. Was elected supervisor 
of the town of Camden. Eeceived the appointment of 
under-sheriff, which office he held about five years. 
Eeturned to the town of Kichfield in 1860, was elected 
member of Assembly in 1871, and re-elected in 1872. 
He died October 18th, 1872, leaving one son to inherit 
his large estate. 



GIDEOK WILBUR. 



Gideon Wilbur was born in Ehode Island, April 9th, 
1766. Was left an orphan when but a lad. Was 
bound out to learn the carpenter's trade, which he fol- 
lowed until 1786, when he w^as married, and came to 
Dutchess County, N. Y., where he bought a farm arid 
remained until 1804, when he emigrated with his family 
to Warren, Herkimer County, and purchased a farm, on 
which he lived to see seven sons and four daughters 
grow up, become married, and settled. He died July 
Cth, 1862, aged ninety-six years. 

Mr. Wilbur was remarkably active to the last year 
of his life. Of the seven sons, but one now survives. 
The late Mr. Eseck Wilbur, of the town of Warren, was 
a son of Gideon Wilbur. 



EZEKIEL COMSTOCE 



Was born at New London, Connecticut, February 
16th, 1774. Removed with his father to Berkshire 
County, Massachusetts, the summer before New London 
was burned. Phoebe Comstock, his wife, was born at 
Williamstown, Massachusetts, October 20th, 1776, and 



EDWARD CHEESEMAN. 121 

was married at the above place, July 13tli, 1798. They 
removed to Granville, Washington County, 'New York, 
in 1804, and to Warren, Herkimer County, in E"ovember 
1832, thence to Eichfield Springs in April, 1850. Jay 
L. Comstock, Esq., of this place, was their only son. 
Ezekiel Comstock died February 16th, 1866, aged ninety- 
two years. His wife, Phoebe Comstock, survived him 
nearly eight years, and died November 5th, 1873, aged 
ninety-seven years and sixteen days. Isaac Holmes, 
father of Mrs. Phoebe Comstock, was a soldier of the 
Revolution, and participated in the battle of Bennington, 
Vermont. He died in Warren in 1843, aged ninety-two 
years. 



EDWARD CHEESEMAN. 



Mr. Cheeseman was among the earliest settlers of 
this region. At an early day he kept a store at " Federal 
Corners," near this place, and subsequently removed to 
the village, where he discovered and manufactured the 
popular patent medicine known as " Cheeseman's Ara- 
bian Balsam." The great demand that followed the dis- 
covery of this article, resulted in a comfortable fortune 
for Mr. Cheeseman. He died August 13th, 1840, aged 
sixty-five years, leaving one son and two daughters. Mrs. 
Edward Cheeseman died August 18th, 1840. Their 
monument can now be seen in the old cemetery near the 
Presbyterian church. 

" Cheeseman's Arabian Balsam " is now manufactured 
in Brooklyn byE. B. Green, grandson of Mr. Cheeseman. 
6 



122 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



DAKIUS H. GARY, 

Son of Joseph Gary, came to tlie town of Richfield 
from Coventry, Rhode Island, in the year 1800, in com- 
pany with Ephraim Carr, who settled in the town of 
Hartwick, Otsego Gounty. Mr. Gary was a carpenter 
by trade ; w^as married to Miss Patty Whitney, of Brook- 
lyn, Connecticut. He received a captain's commission of 
a company of cavalry of the Eleventh Regiment of New 
York. Said commission was signed by Daniel D. Tomp- 
kins, Governor, May 23d, 1814. Captain Gary worked at 
his trade until he was forty years old ; he then bought a 
farm near Monticello, on which he continued to reside 
until his death, February 8th, 1868, aged ninety-one years. 
Mr. Edwin Gary, his only son, is now a resident of 
Saquoit, Oneida Gounty. 



ISAAC DE LOISTG 



Was born in Dutchess Gounty, New York, in 1771, 
and when a lad removed to Columbia Gounty, where at 
the age of nineteen he married Rebecca Allen, aged fifteen 
years. In 1795 they removed to the town of Warren, 
Herkimer Gounty, where they commenced life with 
comparatively nothing. A farm was now purchased, 
and after years of untiring industry was paid for. An- 
other farm adjoining was subsequently purchased, and 
from this time forward it was comparatively easy for 
them to add to their possessions. They reared a family 
of nine children, five sons and four daughters. The 
second son, named George, was killed by the falling of a 
tree when eleven years of age. The youngest of the nine. 



ELIAS BR AM AN. 123 

a son, whom they also called George, was killed at the 
age of twenty-two, by being thrown from a horse. At 
the present time there are but two of the family living, 
namely, Charles,* who was elected a member of the 
State Legislatm-e in 1852, from Herkimer County, and 
Isaac Jr., now a resident of this village. 

Isaac De Long died in 1858, aged eighty-seven years, 
and his wife died in 1865, aged ninety years, both highly 
respected by all who knew them. 



ELIAS BRAMAN 



Came to the town of Richfield previous to the last war 
with England, and purchased a farm of one hundred 
acres, about one mile to the west of this village. This 
farm was subsequently enlarged by additional purchases, 
until it finally embraced 290 acres. Mr. Braman con- 
structed the section of the Great Western turnpike that 
passed through the town of Richfield. Also built the 
cotton factory at Van-Hornsville, and the stone grist- 
mill near the covered bridge on his estate. He died f 
March 14, 1845, aged sixty-six years, leaving a large for- 
tune to his only son, Elias Braman, Jr., who, in 1846, 
erected the present substantial mansion now owned and 
occupied by Mr. Peter Bush. 

* Hon. Charles De Long, now a resident of Peoria, Illinois. 

f During his life, Mr. Braman ordered a limestone " sarcophagus " 
cut and prepared to receive his remains after death, in which his 
burial-case was placed in the ground. 



124 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



AUGUSTUS H. WARD. 

Mr. Ward and family commenced visiting this place 
in the year 1851, as guests at the American Hotel. In 
the year 1853, he purchased the Benedict Cottage. This 
cottage occupied a most delightful location on the north 
side of Main Street, standing in the midst of a beau- 
tiful grove of ornamental trees and shrubbery, and 
bounded on the north by Lake Clement. Mr. Ward 
subsequently made extensive purchases of real estate 
here, which he greatly improved, adding much to the 
beauty and ornamentation of the village, and enhancing 
the value of all other property in the place. He was a 
man of enlarged views and generous impulses. To 
every appeal for aid in public improvements, as well as 
for every other worthy object, he was open-handed. 
He continued to occupy his cottage * here with his fam- 
ily, annually through the summer season, till the time 
of his death, in February, 1868. He donated to the Epis- 
copal church the grounds for the rectory, and contri- 
buted liberally toward the completion and support of 
the church. 

In 1872, his only son, E. A. Ward, erected an Eng- 
lish cottage on James Street, where he now resides. 



GENERAL WILLIAM P. JOH]^SON 

Was born near Oaksville, Otsego County, December 

31st, 1810. His grandfather, George Johnson, came to 

this country from England in 1758, on board the vessel 

*This cottage was accidentally burned in July, 1868- 



WILLIAM G. MOORE — DANIEL HARRINGTON. 125 

with John Tunnicliff, and located on the Oaks Creek, 
immediately after the Revolution. He built the mills 
at what is now known as Cat-town near Oaksville. 
These mills with adjoining lands were afterwards inher- 
ited by William P. Johnson and his brothers. William 
P. Johnston was a merchant at this place for a number 
of years, and finally purchased the American Hotel at 
Richfield Springs, in 1839, and remained its successful 
proprietor until his death, June 21st, 1871, leaving his 
large property to his widow and four daughters. 



WILLIAM G. MOORE, 

Son of James Moore, was born in Woodbridge, E"ew 
Jersey, August 11th, 1801. Emigrated with his parents 
to Herkimer County, in 1803. Mr. Moore says, " My 
parents, with their seven children, embarked on board a 
sloop on Staten Island Sound, and sailed up the Hudson 
River to Albany. From the latter point we were con- 
veyed by wagon, with all our efiects, through the wilder- 
ness to ^Freeman's Mills,' in the town of Warren." 
Mr. Moore became a resident of Richfield Springs, in 
1829. Has been a popular horse-trainer more than fifty- 
three years. Is the only member of his father's family 
now living. 

DANIEL HARRINGTON 

Was born in the town of Mansfield, Windham County, 
Conn., August 13th, 1795. Removed to Winfield, Her- 
kimer County, ]Sr. Y., in 1810, where he continued to 
reside until 1861, when he removed to the town of Rich- 
field, and now resides in this village with his son, Mr. 
DeWitt Harrington. 



126 KICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



JAMES KOY, JK. 

In the month of September, 1S69, a sad casualty oc- 
curred on Canadarago Lake. James Hoy, Jr., only son of 
Mr. James Roy, of West Troy, xS^. Y., left the dock at the 
Lake House alone in a row-boat, for the purpose of bathing. 
Was last seen rowing across the lake. In about two 
hours after, the boat, containing his apparel, was found 
floating against the western shore. Search was at once 
made for his body, but without avail until the ninth day, 
when it was found floating on the surface directly over 
the Sunken Ishmd. It w^as taken in charge by his father, 
and conveyed to Troy for interment. 

LINES BY ETHEL LYNN 

All day upon the rippled lake 

Dark rushes write the story. 
All night the moon tells tenderly 

Of youth gone up to glory. 

Red sunset waves sing soberly 

The kiss they softly gave him ; 
The last pale lily murmurs yet 

She saw, but could not save him. 

angel mother 1 from above 
Sawest thou the white soul only. 

Nor through the stars watched all the night 
The wave-washed body lonely ? 

1 know not ; only this I know. 

Nor sea, nor lake, nor river 
Shall threaten more the lad at rest. 
Ashore with thee forever. 



AUGUSTUS R. ELWOOD. 



127 



AUGUSTUS E. ELWOOD. 

(From Life Sketches of Members of the Legislature, 1870, by Boone aud Cook.) 

Hon. a. R. Elwood is the successor of Mr. Yan 
Petten, and represents the Twentieth Senatorial District, 
comprising the counties of Herkimer and Otsego. He 
was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, October 
18th, 1819, where he still resides. He is of English and 
German descent upon his father's side. His maternal 
ancestors came from Connecticut. His family were old 
settlers of Otsego, and its members have been among its 
most staunch residents. His father was an industrious 
and successful farmer. 

Mr. Elwood commenced life as a merchant, in which 
pursuit, by his active business habits, his resolute will, 
and exemplary character, he won the confidence and 
esteem of his fellow-citizens. Owing to ill health, he 
withdrew from personal participation in mercantile pur- 
suits a few years since, although still retaining his inter- 
est in the establishment. Mr. Elwood, even before he 
came of age, took a w^arm interest in politics. In early 
life he was a Democrat, and contributed largely to the 
success of that party in his section. He was appointed 
postmaster of Richfield Springs in 1842, and held the 
office until 1818. He was also deputy sheriff of the 
county in 1811. In the controversies of the period, 
within the Democratic ranks, Mr. Elwood zealously sup- 
ported Free-soil principles. He was a member of the 
famous Buffalo Convention, and has ever remained a 
consistent and zealous exponent of its cardinal ideas. He 
supported Martin Yan Buren for President in 1818, for 
which offence he was removed from the office of post- 



128 EICHFIELD SPKINGS AND VICINITT. 

master by President Polk, whora he had helped to elect. 
Mr- El wood's political tact, discerning judgment, organ- 
izing talent, and ability to shrewdly forecast events, led 
the people frequently to send him to the conventions of 
his party ; and he has thus taken a prominent part in the 
initiative of many in]portant public movements. He 
was a member of the convention held at Saratoga Springs 
in 1855, and assisted in the organization of the National 
Kepublican party in Philadelphia, in 1856, voting for 
the nomination of John C. Fremont. He w^as also a 
delegate to the Chicago Convention in 1860, casting his 
vote for Abraham Lincoln. In 1862 and 1863 he was 
Chairman of the Republican County Committee, in which 
capacity he exhibited marked sagacity and resources as a 
party manager. 

Mr. Elwood is very popular in his native county, not- 
withstanding the Pepublican party there, unfortunately 
for itself, has been fearfully torn by warring factions. 
He held the office of county clerk during the term 
beginning in 1859 and expiring in 1861, and was super- 
visor of his town from 1865 to 1868, and for two years 
served as chairman of the Board. Efforts have been 
frequently made to induce him to allow the use of his 
name for various honorable positions, but he has uni- 
formly declined. During the late political campaign, 
Mr. Elwood contested for the nomination of the Repub- 
lican Convention with Hon. "William W. Campbell, 
formerly justice of the Supreme Court and member of 
Assembly in 1869. The canvass was a brisk one, result- 
ing in the nomination and triumphant election of the 
former. Mr. Elwood is not a debater in the ordinary 
acceptation of the term, although, when occasion demands, 
he expresses his views with great clearness and cogency. 
He has also those higher qualifications necessary to a 



HON. BENJAMIN PEINGLE. 129 

successful legislator, and which are peculiar to organizing 
and executive minds, Mr. Elwood, in 1846, married a 
daughter of the late Hon. James Hyde, an estimable and 
educated lady, whose occasional contributions to the ht- 
erature of the day display marked originality of concep- 
tion, deep thought, and beauty of diction. Mr. Elwood 
is of medium stature and slender build, bnt of that wiry 
and nervous organization which but needs a moderate 
degree of health to accomplish great results. 



HON. BENJAMIN PEINGLE * 

Was born November 9th, 1807, in the town of Eichfield, 
Otsego County, New York, and is a descendant of the 
Pringles of Scotland, a numerous, distinguished, and 
ancient family. His father was one of the pioneers of 
Otsego County, and instrumental in organizing the pres> 
ent school system of the State. Mr. Pringle received his 
education at the common school, academy, and under 
private tutors. He then engaged in the study of the 
law, and having been admitted to the bar, entered into a 
co-partnership with Hon. Heman J. Kedfield at Batavia, 
Genesee County. At a later period he was elected judge 
and president of the Genesee Bank, and took a promi- 
nent part in the " Holland Land Company." He was 
elected senator in the Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth Con- 
p-resses, where he held the position of chairman of the 
Committee of Indian Affairs. The following year he was 
elected member of the Legislature, and in 1863 was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln judge of the Court of Jus- 
tice established at Cape Town, South Africa, under the 
treaty between America and Great Britain for the sup- 
* Albany Times, Marcli, 1873. 



130 RICnFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

pression of the African slave-trade, where he remained 
seven years. He lias taken great interest in church 
matters, having been thrice appointed deputy from his 
diocese to the Triennial Convention of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church of the United States. 

Judge Pringle is a tall and somewhat portly man, 
with a mild, benevolent, and intellectual countenance, 
broad, high forehead, white hair and moustache. He is 
modest and unassuming, and although taking a great 
interest in all the proceedings of the Constitutional 
Commission of which he is now a member (1873), he sel- 
dom is given to long speeches, but a few w^ords of infor- 
mation, advice, or explanation from him at a fitting time, 
given in a low, placid tone, never fail to produce effect. 

The parents of Judge Pringle resided, at the time 
of his birth, on the farm known as the Captain Cary 
estate, a short distance north of Monticello. 



HUMPHREY PALMER, ESQ. 

In addition to Dr. Manlcy, there are several others 
between eighty and ninety years of age, now residents 
of this village, that we propose to notice briefly. 

Humphrey Palmer was four years of age when his 
parents emigrated from Colchester, Connecticut, in 1794, 
to a farm in the town of Exeter, Otsego County, about 
two miles west of the lake, on Herkimer Creek. Remem- 
bers distinctly the incidents of the journey through the 
wilderness. Was married in 1813. Has two sons and 
one daughter. Was drafted in 1812 to serve under Colo- 
nel Stranahan. Hired a substitute, who was killed in 
action... In 1834 he removed to this village, and was 
elected justice of the peace in 1810, and held the office 
five years. He had three brothers and three sisters, who 



JACOB WALTER. 



131 



were all living in 1870, the united ages of the seven 
aggregating 528 years; a remarkable instance of the 
longevity of an unbroken family. 



JACOB WALTER 

Was born in Fort Plain,* Montgomery County, IST. Y., 
February 14th, 1788. Remained with his father until 
May 3d,' 1803, when he was bound apprentice to Joseph 
Farr, a watch and clock maker. The present village of 
Fort Plain at this time contained but one house. " The 
first settlement of Fort Plain was situated a short distance 
to the west, and was destroyed by the Indians during the 
Revolution." Mr. Walter says " a Presbyterian church 
stood on ' Sand Hill,' but was subsequently burned by 
lightning." After serving seven years to learn the trade, 
he continued in the employment of Mr. Farr two years, 
when he opened a shop on his own account at " Hall 
Settlement," in the town of Minden, in 1810. He con- 
tinued here three years, and removed to the "Little 
Lakes," in the southern part of Herkimer County; but 
soon after located in the town of Springfield, where he 
remained twenty-seven years. In 1845 he established 
his business in the village of Richfield Springs, where he 
now resides at the age of eighty-six. 

Mr. Walter was married in 1811, and has eight sons 
and one daughter now living.f Mr. P. D. Walter, the 
present mayor of the city of Lockport, N. Y., is a son of 
Jacob Walter, if 

* His father, Cliristian Walter, w&s of German descent, a farmer, 
and Ms residence stood on the elevated ground near the old fort. 

f Since writing the above, one son, Alonzo Walter, of Ingersoll, 
Canada West, has died. 

X Jacob Walter has in his house at the present time a brass clock 
made by himself over " sixty years" ago, and which is now in good 
running order. 



132 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITT. 



WILLIAM HAYES 

Was born in Yardlej Gnbion, Northamptonshire, Eng- 
land, June 4th, 1791. Learned the trade of paper manu- 
facturer, which he followed until 1832, when he emi- 
grated to America, and settled in Sangerfield, Oneida 
County, as a farmer. Was married in 1816, and had 
one son, who died at Sangerfield in 1857, leaving a wife 
and seven children. 

Mr. Hayes removed to this town in 1849, where he 
now resides. 



JOHN FISH 



Was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., December 10th, 
1791. Was a carpenter by trade, and married in 1819. 
Had three sons and three daughters. His son, John 
D. Fish, enlisted in the summer of 1862 in the 121st 
Regiment New York Volunteers, then stationed at 
Mohawk ; was soon after promoted to a captaincy, and 
while leading his men in action on the 12th of May, 
1864, at Spottsylvania Court House, was shot dead by 
the enemy. Mr. Fish has been a resident of this village 
since 1826. 



TIMOTHY GREEN 



Was born in the town of Archfield, Massachusetts, Feb- 
ruary 3d, 1791. Emigrated to the town of Richfield, 
Otsego County, with his parents, in 1794. Was a cloth- 
ier by trade, which he followed twelve years, when he 



ALVIN WEATHEEBEE — WILLIAM B. IRELAND. 133 

purchased a farm in the town of Warren, Herkimer 
County, on which he continued to reside until 1863, 
when he became a resident of this village. Was married 
in 1821, but has no children. 



ALYIJSr WEATHERBEE 



Was born in Hartland, Windsor County, Vermont, 
March 14th, 1794. Emigrated with his parents to the 
town of Warren, Herkimer County, in 1798, and settled 
at Page's Corners, where his father erected a tannery, 
and conducted the business many years. Alvin was 
employed in the tannery with his father, and at the age 
of twenty-four was married ; has two sons and one 
daughter. 

Mr. Brayton Weatherbee, proprietor of the well- 
known Weatherbee Mills, near this place, is the eldest 
son of Mr. Alvin Weatherbee. 



WILLIAM B. lEELAlSTD. 



Mr. Ireland and family commenced visiting this place 
in 1845, as guests of the Spring House. In 1860 he 
purchased the cottage on the corner of Main and Church 
streets, where he continued to reside during the summer 
months until 1865, and died at his city residence, l^o. 35 
Washington Square, New York, on the 18th of Decem- 
ber of the latter year, aged sixty-live years. His widow, 
Mrs. A. S. Ireland, still owns and occupies the cottage 
in this village during the summer months. 



134 RICHFIELD SPEIKGS AND VICINITY. 



MKS. HOUSE. 

There is now living near the " Kyle," in the town of 
"Warren, an aged lady by the name of House. Remem- 
bers, distinctly the events connected with the last de- 
struction of " Andrustown " in 1778, by the Indian chief- 
tain Brant, and his coadjutors. Mrs. House was born at 
Fall Hill, near Little Falls, previous to the Revolution, 
and is now more than one hundred years of age. The 
writer recently had a very pleasant interview with this 
aged matron, and found her remarkably active and viva- 
cious. She will probably see many more years. 

It will be observed that Andrustown was three times 
destroyed by the Indians. Twice previous to the Revo- 
lution. 

After destroying the place, the Indians fled in the 
direction of the "Little Lakes," to which point they 
were pursued by a party of colonists, but succeeded in 
making their escape. '' Benton " says there were a few 
white families at the " Little Lakes," called Young's 
Settlement, and the principal man was '* Youmj^^ the 
patentee (a Tory), to whom the lands had been granted 
by the crown in 1752. 



HENRY TULLER, ESQ.,* 

Son of William Tuller, was born in the town of Otsego, 
Otsego County, March 14th, 1799. Was a mechanic. 
Was married at the age of twenty-one to a daughter of 
Samuel Shipman, by whom he had four sons and four 

* Alderman Ackley Tuller, of Rome, New York, is a son of Henry 
Tuller, Esq. 



ISAAC S. FORD — FLY-CREEK VALLEY. 135 

daughters, all now living. He became a resident of Eicli- 
field Springs in 1836, and purchased the property now 
known as the "Tuller House," of which he was pro- 
prietor until recently. Was elected justice of the 
peace in 1844, and held the office four years. Was 
elected police justice in 1859, holding the office eight 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Tuller celebrated their " golden 
wedding " in 1870. Mrs. Tuller died in December, 1872. 



ISAAC S. FORD 



Was born in Saulsbury, Herkimer County, December 1st, 
1800. Was married in 1824, and became a resident of 
the town of Manheim, and was elected to the office of 
supervisor in 1832. Removed to the town of Richfield 
in 1836, where he became an active politician. 

In 1862 he was appointed assistant assessor of Inter- 
nal Revenue by Salmon P. Chase, then Secretary of the 
Treasury, the duties of which office he discharged to the 
entire satisfaction of the people of this district. 

Removed to this village in 1866, retiring from public 
life. Has two sons and four daughters 



FLY CREEK YALLEY. 



The ranges of mountains lying between Otsego and 
Canadarago Lakes, are divided by a deep valley through 
which flows a stream called Fly Creek, which takes its 
rise in the highlands of the town of Otsego, near the 
southern line of the town of Springfield, about midway 
between the two lakes. Issuing from the earth near a 
rocky ledge, at first a purling rivulet, it starts on its way 



136 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITT. 

to the Susquehanna, gradually increasing in size and 
importance as it receives accessions from smaller streams, 
and peacefully winding its way through green pastures 
and by the grassy banks of exuberant meadows, through 
silent and secluded dells and forest shades, until it reaches 
a distance of about five miles, when it is appropriated to 
the uses of a dancing saw-mill. It is now a stream of con- 
siderable volume and rapid flow, and is used for mill pur- 
poses at intervals, until it finally enters the Oaks Creek, 
about seven miles south of Canadarago Lake. Along 
this entire valley can be seen a succession of beautifully 
cultivated farms with their neat houses and outbuildings, 
indicating the thrift and independence of the occupants. 
The hop is the principal product, and is extensively cul- 
tivated, the ample returns of which give a high and 
substantial value to real estate. 

The village of Fly Creek is situated about three miles 
directly west from Cooperstown, and has a population 
of about two hundred. The ^ew York Grazetteer of 1860 
says, '' At this place is a fork factory, with a capital of 
$75,000, employing thirty men ; a pail factory ; a manu- 
factory of agricultural implements and machinery, cm- 
ploying a capital of 25,000 ; and a foundery and machine- 
shop, employing twenty-five men." ^ The same authority 
also says " the first child born in the town of Otsego was 
William Jarvis, at Fly Creek, in 1787." This region is 
certainly remarkable for the average longevity of its peo- 
ple. A correspondent of the " Republican," writing from 
Fly Creek, March 6th, 1873, says " from Fly Creek, 
taking in a circle with a radius of a mile, we have 14 
from 80 to 94, and 26 from 70 to 80, in all 40, all of 
whom, with their present health, bid fair to see their one- 

* I understand that the last-named enterprise only is now in opera- 
tion (1873). 



137 

hiindreth birthday." High up on the monntain-range, 
between Otsego Lake and the valley of Fly Creek, and 
nearly surrounded by the primitive forest, is what is 
known or supposed to have been a small lake at an early 
period, but now overgrown by a thick mass of tufted 
vegetation which entirely envelops its surface. This 
was originally called " The Fly," and from it the valley 
and village one and a half miles to the westward derive 
their names. Among the earliest settlers in this valley 
known to the writer, were David Marvin, Deacon E^orth, 
John Clark, Alexander Lerow, Charles Bailey, Silas and 
Luther Williams,* John Patten, Titus Davidson, Piatt 
St. John, Nehemiah Hinds, Jacob Johnson ; f Erastus, 
Chester, and Thomas Taylor ; Ira Hyde, Asael Davidson, 
John Lumley, and George Roberts. In nearly every 
instance the lands originally taken up by the above 
names are still in the possession of their descendants. 
Near the old burying-ground at Fly Creek village, there 
is now standing an ancient-looking little cottage, that 
was erected in the year 1790 by a Mr. Jarvis, father of 
Hon. Kent Jarvis, of Masillon, Ohio, who was born here 
June 13th, 1801. In June, 1873, Mr. Jarvis celebrated 
his seventy-second birthday in this house, furnishing a 
sumptuous banquet to about one hundred guests, mostly 
residents of Fly Creek Yalley. 



"jo:n^es' wood." 



This beautiful grove of lofty maples occupies a com- 
manding eminence on the south side of Main Street, to the 
east of the village, in the midst of which is embowered 

* Descendants of Roger Williams, of Rhode Island. 

f Jacob Johnson built the first saw-mill on Fly Creek, soon after 
the Revolution. 



138 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

the neat and attractive " Swiss Cottage " of L. C. Jones, 
of New York. The location of this pretty cottage is 
most picturesque, overlooking the entire village of Kich- 
field Springs and the valley of the Canadarago. 

The charms of this delightful place are greatly en- 
hanced during the summer season, by the presence of 
Mr. Jones and his family. 

The sloping field between this cottage and the village 
presents a number of eligible sites for mansions or cot- 
tages, being bordered by a fine growth of young maples 
that pleasantly shade the street. 



" MAPLEWOOD." 

Two miles directly east from Kichfield Springs, to 
the left of the highway, is the elegant stone mansion 
known as " Maple wood," the home of Mr. Frank White 
and flimily, late of Albany, N. Y. This large and rich 
estate lies at the base of " Waiontha " Mountain, and is 
bounded on the north by one of the " Waiontha " lakes. 
The mansion is surrounded by a vigorous growth of 
young maples, and other forest-trees ; and is one of the 
most pleasantly located residences in this section of the 
country. 

CHUECHES.* 

There are five distinct church organizations in this 
place, with their respective houses of worship. Although 
we do not claim entire exemption from the moral obliqui- 
ties peculiar to many places of popular summer resort, 

* We have given sketches of the several churches, in the order of 
their organization. 



OHTTECHES. 139 

we can safely assert that a high standard of moral and 
religious sentiment pervades the people, for in no other 
place of equal size or number of inhabitants, are church 
organizations better sustained. And we do not claim 
entire credit for the material prosperity of our places of 
public worship, for we must here acknowledge that our 
summer visitors are profuse in their contributions to this 
object. As our church memberships are numerically far 
^below what they should be in proportion to the popula- 
tion, it will be seen at once, that in order to maintain a 
high order of clerical talent, we must rely to a consider- 
able extent on the material assistance rendered by our 
city friends. And in behalf of the several religious soci- 
eties, I can safely say that the numerous tokens of Chris- 
tian liberality extended to our clergymen, are deeply 
appreciated, not only by them, but also by the several 
churches they represent. 

The winter of 1874 will long be remembered by the 
people of Richfield Springs and surrounding country for 
the wonderful manifestation of the Divine Spirit, in the 
conversion of over one hundred and fifty souls, and the 
upbuilding of the Redeemer's kingdom here. 

Large numbers have been added to the membership 
of the churches, as the fruits of this revival. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The Congregational Church of Richfield (now the 
first Presbyterian) was organized at a meeting of citizens 
of the town of Richfield, called for the purpose at the 
house of Jacob Brewster, in said town, on the 2d day of 
February, 1803, as the first Congregational Society of 
Richfield. Jabez B. Hyde, Seth Allen, John Wood- 
bury, Obadiah Beardsley, and Martin Luce, were the 
first trustees of said society. 



140 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITT. 

On the i2th day of September, 1803, a meeting was 
held at the house of Benjamin Corbin, in Hichfield, at 
which time this church had its reguhir ecclesiastical or- 
ganization. Rev. James Southworth, of Bridgewater, 
and llev, John Spencer, of Yernon, assisted at its organ- 
ization. Ebenezer Curtis was the first moderator and 
clerk, and Seth Luce first delegate to the Association. 

The church society was not regularly incorporated 
until the 11th of June, 1813, at which time the meeting 
was held (as appears in the minutes) in the " Congrega- 
tional meeting-house ; " but when said house was built, 
the record does not show. This house was destroyed by 
fire in 1822.* The present house of worship, situated 
in the village of Hichfield Springs, was built about the 
year 1825, while Hev. Charles Wadsworth was pastor of 
the church, who is also the first pastor mentioned in the 
records of the society. In May, 1811, the church with- 
drew from the Oneida Association, and united with the 
Otsego Presbytery on the accommodation plan, and 
continued in this relation till 1868, when, at a meeting 
called for the purpose, on the 6th day of June, the mem- 
bers of the church resolved by a unanimous vote to 
change its name from Congregational to Presbyterian. 
The first ruling elders elected were H. C. Walter, Wm. 
D. Griflfin, John- Dana, and Robert Hall. The first 
deacons were John J. Edick and Pardon K. Hopkins. 
The following are the names of the pastors of the church, 
as nearly as can be ascertained from the imperfect 
records, and also the time of their pastorate ; Rev. 
Charles Wadsworth, 1821 to 1830 ; Rev. D. Yan Yalk- 
enburg, 1830 to 1841; Rev. W. C. Boyce, 1844 to 1846; 

* This church stood in the western part of Monticello village 
near the cemetery. 



CHURCHES. 141 

Rev. T. B. Jervis, 1846 to 1852; Kev. Henry Bojnton, 
as a temporary supply during the winter of 1862-3. 

Kev. Cliarles Wadswortli, after an absence of about 
twenty-four years, returned in 1854, and remained till 
1858. Mr. M. P. Hill, a student from Auburn Semi- 
nary, supplied the pulpit during the summer months of 
1858 and 1859. Rev. Andrew Parsons, a student from 
Auburn Seminary, was ordained by Otsego Presbytery 
in June, 1860, and remained with the church as its pastor 
till the spring of 1866. 

Pev. F. H. Seeley, a student from Auburn Seminary, 
was ordained by Otsego Presbytery in July, 1866, and 
immediately commenced his labors in this church, and is 
still its pastor. All the ministers mentioned in connec- 
tion with this church, so far as known, are living at this 
date, except Pev. D. Yan Yalkenburg, who died while 
pastor of the church in Springfield, Nov. 24th, 1864, 
and now rests near the little church in this village, where 
for so many years his voice was heard proclaiming 
divine truth. 

The Chapel connected with this church was built 
in 1870, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars, which 
amount was bequeathed to the trustees of the society 
by the late Amasa Abbott, of Warren, Herkimer County, 
who died at the residence of his nephew, Allen Bloom- 
field, January 2d, 1868, aged sixty-eight years and seven 
months. 

Present trustees of the society, John Dana, P. K. 
Hopkins, W. D. Griffin, H. C. Walter, H. M. De Long, 
W. T. Bailey. 



142 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 

(From the Records.) 

At a meeting of a number of the inhabitants of Rich- 
field and the adjoining towns, convened pursuant to pre- 
vious public notice at the house of Cornelius M. Paul, in 
the town of Eichfield, on the 23d day of May, 1833, for 
the purpose of organizing a Universalist Society ; organ- 
ized by choosing the Rev. Job Potter, moderator, and 
Tideman H. Gordon, clerk. The object of the meeting 
was then stated from the chair, when a ballot w^as had, 
and Davis Brown and Tideman H. Gordon were chosen 
to preside at this election, and to decide on the qualifica- 
tions of voters. Resolved, That we elect five trustees. 
The meeting then proceeded to ballot for trustees, and 
on canvassing the votes, it appeared that Benjamin R. 
Elwood, James Wilson, George Tuckerman, Davis Brown, 
and Moses Wheeler received a unanimous vote, and 
were duly elected. 

Tideman H. Gordon was elected Clerk. 

Benjamin R. Elwood, Treasurer. 
The trustees were then classed as follows : 

First class — Davis Brown, Moses Wheeler. 

Second class — James Wilson, George Tuckerman. 

Third class — Benjamin R. Elwood. 

The church edifice of the society is a substantial 
stone structure, and was erected in the year 1833, 
on grounds presented to the society by JS'athan Dow, 
Esq. 

FIRST MINISTERS. 

Accordingto the records, Rev. Orrin Roberts preached 
in this church two Sabbaths in each month, from April, 
1834, to March, 1835, inclusive. 



CHURCHES. 143 

Eev. L. C. Brown preached one Sunday in eacli 
month, from April, 1835, to March, 1836, inclusive. 

Kev. T. J. Smith engaged to preach one-half the 
time the ensuing year, commencing in the month of 
March, 1836. 

From 1837 to 1861, the following clergymen preached 

in this church at intervals, viz. : J. S. Kibby, Belden, 

J. H. Tuttle, D. C. Tomlinson, W. E. Manley. In the 
spring of 1862, Kev. S. K. Ward was called as the regu- 
lar pastor of the church, in which capacity he continued 
to labor until April, 1873, when he was called to the 
Second Universalist Church of Syracuse, where he is now 
stationed. During the pastoral labors of Mr. Ward, the 
church edifice was greatly enlarged and beautified, at an 
outlay of $11,000. 

Kev. Mr. Cook, of IJtica, is now the regular pastor. 

EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

St. John's Church, Kichfield Springs, Otsego County, 
N. Y., was organized according to law, on the 1st 
day of October, 1849. The Kev. Samuel Gr. Apple- 
ton, rector of Saint Luke's Church, Kichfield, ]^. Y. 
(Monticello), on the morning of Sunday, the 23d day of 
September, 1849, at the residence of George B. Cary, 
celebrated Divine service, and gave public notice of the 
purpose to organize a parish in the village of Kichfield 
Springs. A meeting was appointed to be held on the 
1st day of October next ensuing, in the same place 
where the service was held, to carry out said purpose. 
On Sunday morning, the 30th day of September, the 
Rev. Mr. Appleton again celebrated Divine service at 
the residence of Mr. George B. Cary, and repeated the 
notice given on the previous Sunday. 



144 RICHFIELD SPRrN-GS AND VICINITY. 

On Monday, October 1st, 1849, at 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon, a number of persons assembled at the house 
above mentioned, and unanimously resolved to organize 
a parish in communion with the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in the United States of America, under the name 
and title of Grace Church. This resolution was after- 
w^ards reconsidered, and the name fixed as it at present 
continues, St. John's Church, Richfield Springs, N. Y. 

The ofiicers elected at this time were John W. Tun- 
niclifP, Senior Warden, John Culbert, Junior Warden. 

Vestrymen — William Hayes, George B. Cary, Elias 
Braman, Olcott C. Chamberlin, Erastus S. Belknap, 
Charles Delong, Price Griffith, Joshua AVhitney. 

At a meeting of the wardens and vestrymen, held on 
the 8th day of October, 1849, at the residence of George 
B. Cary, a committee of five persons was appointed for 
the purpose of circulating a subscription paper to secure 
funds for the erection of a church building. A. Tunnicliff, 
J. W. Tunnicliff, E. Braman, W. C. Crain, and G. B. 
Cary constituted this committee. 

On Wednesday morning, August 21st, 1850, at 10 
o'clock, the corner-stone of the present church building 
was laid with appropriate ceremonies, immediately after 
Divine service, by the Rev. Stephen H. Battin, rector 
of Christ Church, Cooperstown, N. Y. There were also 
present and assisting, the Rev. Joseph II. Price, D.D., 
and the Rev. Caleb S. Henry, D.D., of New York City, 
and the Rev. Robert Davis, of Philadelphia. The Rev. 
Samuel G. Appleton having removed to Delhi, Delaware 
County, I^. Y., on the 7th of April, 1851, the vestry met, 
and appointed J. S. Davenport as a committee to go to 
New York and engage the Rev. Mr. Clements as rector 
of the parish. For some reason Mr. Clements did not 
accept the appointment. The Rev. Owen P. Thackara, 



CHURCHES. 14:5 

from the Diocese of Maryland, became rector of the par- 
ish at some time during the sirring or summer of 1851. 

The incorporation of the church was approved by 
the Standing Committee of the Diocese during the year 
1851, and the parish was received into union with the 
Convention of the Diocese. On the 11th day of August, 
1853, the present church edifice was duly consecrated to 
the worship of the Triune God by the Rt. Rev. Jona- 
than Mayhew Wainwright, D.D., D.C.L. On the 3d 
day of August, 1854, Bishop Wainwright again visited 
the parish, preached, confirmed three, and addressed 
them ; and in the afternoon presided at a meeting of the 
Convocation of Delaware and Otsego counties. 

Unfortunately there is no record preserved in the 
parish of the names of those confirmed at this time. 
Late in the year 1855, the Rev. Mr. Thackara ceased to 
hold services in the church, and the Rev. James W. 
Capen succeeded him. Mr. Capen's stay, however, was 
very brief. In June, 1856, the Rev. Robert T. Pearson 
took charge of the parish. On the 22d of April, 1857, 
the Rev. Mr. Thackara's resignation of the rectorship of 
the parish was accepted, and the Rev. Mr. Pearson was 
duly elected rector in his place. On the 7th day of 
August, 1856, the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D., LL.D., 
made his first visitation of the parish, preached, and 
administered the Holy Communion. 

To the Annual Convention of the Diocese, held in 
Sept. 1857, the Rev. Mr. Pearson made the first report 
ever made of the condition of the parish. There w^ere 
then thirty -four families (aljout one hundred and fifty 
individuals) connected with the parish. The Sunday 
school had two teachers and fifteen scholars. On the 
31st of July, 1858, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Potter visited 
the parish, preached, and confirmed thirteen persons. 



146 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

In September of the same year, the Rev. Mr. Pearson 
records the number of communicants as twenty-eight. 
On the 22cl of October, 1859, tlie Rev. Mr. Pearson 
resigned the rectorship of the parish. The church was 
closed from that date until the first Sunday in May of 
the following year. 

On the 2d of May, ISGO, the Rev. J. W. Capen was 
elected by the vestry as officiating minister until the 
vacancy in the rectorship should be tilled. On the 31st 
of October, 18G0, the Rev. AVm. J. Alger was elected 
rector of the parish. Although Mr. Alger accepted the 
call, there is no record of his having performed any 
duty in the parish iit this time. On Friday, the 2d of 
August, 1861. the Rt. Rev. Bishop Potter visited the 
parish, preached, and confirmed two (one of them in 
private). To the Annual Convention in September the 
senior warden reported as follows, viz. : " During the 
year we have been without a rector. During the 
last winter we have had no services, except on two or 
three Sundays. Rev. J. W. Capen, returning home from 
Florida the last of May, has again supplied us with ser- 
vices as his health would permit. We have begun and 
will soon complete a very convenient and comfortable 
rectory." In 1862, the Rev. Charles L. Sykes took 
charge of the parish as missionary. On Sunday, the 
26th day of July, 1863, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Potter vis- 
ited the parish, preached, ordained the Rev. C. L. Sykes 
priest, and confirmed two persons. On Sunday, the 31st 
of July, 1864, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Potter visited the 
church, preached, and confirmed five persons. 

On the 30th of July, 1869, the Rev. C. L. Sykes re- 
signed the rectorship of the parish- In May, 1870, the 
Rev. Joshua R. Peirce became rector of the parish, and 
continued in the rectorship until October 1st, 1872. At 



CHURCHES. 147 

this time the present incumbent, the Eev. Edward M, 
Pecke, entered upon his duties as rector of the parish. 
During the twenty-four years of the existence of the 
parish, so far as can be ascertained, 110 persons have been 
baptized, 41 have been confirmed, 60 have been married, 
and 45 have been buried. Connected with the parish at 
the present time, there are 46 families or parts of fami- 
lies, including about 175 individuals. The number of 
communicants is 42. The Sunday school numbers 35 
children and 5 teachers. 

The parish property consists of the church building 
(seating about 200 people, altogether inadequate to the 
w^ants of the worshippers in the summer season), and the 
lot upon which it stands; also a rectory opposite the 
church, with a large lot of ground about it; a bell, an 
organ, and all the appointments for a due performance 
of Divine service. 

THE CATHOLIC (St. JOSEPH'S) CHURCH. 

This church society was incorporated in 1 853, with a 
membership of about 25. 

It was at this time a mission station or branch of the 
church at Cooperstown. 

The trustees — Patrick Weldon, James Nellis, and 
William Burke. 

The first services of the society were held in the dis- 
trict school-house, and at the private residences of the 
members. 

In the year 1870 the present church edifice was com- 
pleted at a cost of 3,500, and dedicated to the worship 
of God, by the Kev. M. C. Devit, of Cooperstown. 
Present membership (1873) 200. 

Trustees — ^Patrick Weldon, William Burke. Dimen- 



148 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AITD VICINITY. 

sions of the cliurclij 32 by 60 feet. Is situated on tlie 
north side of Canadarago Street. Oldest member of the 
church at this time, Mrs. Bridget King, aged 92 years. 



THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

" Previous to the year 1871, there was no organized 
society of Methodists in this village. There were in the 
vicinity several small chapels where services were occa- 
sionally held by Methodist ministers or circuit riders. 
In what are known as the ' Old Warren Meeting-House ' 
and the ' Old Columbia Meeting-House,' the former one 
mile, and the latter six miles distant from the village, 
Methodist services had been occasionally held for very 
many years ; and in their secluded grave-yards scores of 
wearied travellers are peacefully sleeping in the shadows 
of the humble building in which it had been their de- 
light to gather. At the hamlet of Little Lakes in War- 
ren, three miles distant, was a pretty little church under 
charge of a regular pastor, the Rev. Mr. Stanton. The 
eagerness with which the people flocked to these little 
churches whenever services were held in them, showed 
that in this vicinity were all the elements necessary for 
the formation of an active, vigorous society," 

THE FIRST CHURCH. 

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Eichfield 
Springs was incorporated May 29th, 1871, and the fol- 
lowing board of ti'ustees was chosen, viz. : George B. 
Cary, Josiali House, Lewis McCredy, Samuel B. St. 
John, Hiram Getman, Hiram L. Fay, Timothy Green, 
Ezra W. Badger, and Cornelias Ackerman. Rev. O. C. 
Wightman, of Mohawk, who with his congregation had 



CHURCHES. 149 

just built a handsome new church at that phice, was 
assigned to this charge,, and at once entered upon his 
duties. The society entered lieart and soul into the pro- 
ject for the building of the new church, worshipping 
meanwhile in Union Hall, their meetings being uniformly 
well attended. 

TJie Corner-stone laid. — April 1st, 1872, a lot was 
purchased on the corner of Main and Manley streets, for 
which $2,000 was paid. The corner-stone of the new 
church was laid August 20th, 1872, in the presence of a 
large concourse of people, with appropriate ceremonies. 
The building committee consisted of the following gen- 
tlemen : Ezra W. Badger, chairman ; George B. Gary, 
and Hiram L. Fay. 

The Building, — The building is of brick, 45 by 75 
feet, with chancel in the rear 6 by 17 feet, and has one 
tower 120 feet in height, in which has just been placed a 
fine bell costing $550. There is also a fine large and 
well-lighted basement for the Sunday school and chapel 
purposes. The total cost of the church, including the 
lot, is about $17,000. 

The Dedication. — This occurred on Tuesday, Janu- 
ary 6th, 1874. The services were opened with prayer 
by the Rev. Mr. Shepard, of Ilion, after which a hynm 
was read by the Rev. G. G. Wightman. The doxology 
was sung by the Springfield choir. The Rev. B. I. Ives 
of Auburn, then preached an eloquent sermon from Matt. 
V. 16, " Let your light so shine hefore men that they may 
see your good worlcs, and glorify your Father which is 
in heaven.^'' 

The amount of indebtedness remaining on the church 
($10,600) was promptly subscribed by those present. The 
Messrs. Remington, of Ilion, gave the munificent sum 
of $3,000 in various ways, and they have heretofore helped 



150 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

the cliiircb by loaning them money without interest, and 
otherwise laid the society under lasting obligations to 
then), which they gratefully acknowledge. 

This church is indeed an ornament to our village, and 
of which we may justly as a community feel proud. 
Among the clergymen of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church present, were the Kev. Mr. Corse, presiding elder ; 
Kev. B. I. Ives, of Auburn ; Eev. A. G. Markham, pastor 
of the church ; Eev. A. B. Gregg, of Jordon ; Eev. O. C. 
Wightman, former pastor, now of Forestport, Oneida 
County, and Eev. Mr. Shepard, of Ilion. 

Note. — In closing tliis brief sketch of the several churches, we 
wish to remark that there is one important phase connected with the 
general character of the great numbers who annually visit this 
place. We allude to the respectful reverence for the Sabbath. 
Throughout this entire day a profound quiet pervades the place, and 
the several houses of public worship are thronged by full and atten 
tive congregations. Such an exhibition of substantial and conserva- 
tive Christian sentiment, cannot be without its moral influence upon 
all classes, who may be thus led to a deeper regard for the vital claims 
of the Holy Sabbath upon all sentient, accountable intelligences. 



INDIANS. 

The Indian will never cease to be an object of interest 
to the people of this country, as being the original 
inhabitant of its entire territory, and possessing many 
noble traits of character in his native state, w^hich 
remained as a leading feature of their numerous tribes, 
until brought in contact with the moral perversions of 
European civilization. Driven from the shores of the 
Atlantic by the encroachments of the whites, their num- 
bers have been graduall}^ reduced, until we now look 
upon the remnants of the tribes with increasing interest, 



SUNSET HILL. 1^1 

as associated with the once powerful nations that roamed 
through the mountain forests and lake valleys of this 
region. There is at present but one family of aborigines 
residing within the limits of this village. They are from 
the AbenaU ^ Nation of St. Francis Indians of Canada. 
They may be seen almost daily in the boarding season, 
with their ingeniously wrought wares of baskets, bows 
and arrows, and other trinkets, which they, in their quiet, 
modest way, offer for sale. 



SUNSET HILL.t 



The village of Kichfield Springs is surrounded by 
many sightly and beautiful eminences, that overlook 
the entire village and lake scenery, and famish most 
desirable locations for residences or villas. 

Sunset Hill, an accessible and much frequented emi- 
nence, is situated immediately to the north, and com- 
mands an extensive and delightful view of the village at 
our feet, half hidden by the dark thick foliage of orna- 
mental trees, above which the several towering church- 
spires point heavenward. Nature never painted a fairer 
picture than is here spread out before us. 

The prospect extends through a long vista, over a 
range of many n iles. Away to the south stretches the 
beautiful valley of the Canadarago, with the gleaming 

*The name of this nation {Abenaka) signifies "Sun of the 

morning. 

f The old moss-covered well on the summit of Sunset Hill, was 
dug by Aaron Abbott in 1799, who also built a " log-cabin" near it, 
on the northeast. Aaron Abbott was grandfather of the late Amasa 
Abbott, of this place, and also of Clinton Abbott, Esq., of Cedar Falls, 
Iowa. 



152 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

lake lying deep between the ranges of rugged mountains 
on the east and west. Far over the sparkling waters we 
catch a glimpse of the forest outlines, lying against the 
distant horizon, scarcely distinguishable from the hazy 
clouds which envelop them. Dark-green fields, broken 
by copses of luxuriant foliage, outspreading farms, and 
neat farm-houses in the distance, form a picture of exquis- 
ite beauty to the lover of rural scenes. The evening sun, 
slowly and tremblingly descends beneath a canopy of 
transcendent hues of crimson and gold, tinging each soft 
feathery cloud with its most exquisite and charming 
shades ; while to the north are rich rolling fields of pas- 
toral beauty, set with cottages and neatly arranged build- 
ings or mills, on the banks of a little stream that takes 
its rise beneath the shadows of gracefully sweeping 
willows that stand like silent sentinels on its gravelly 
banks. 

On the eastern slope of this beautiful eminence are 
the grounds recently purchased by Hon. C. H. McCor- 
mick, of Chicago, as the site of a summer residence, soon 
to be erected. These grounds have already been thickly 
set w^ith a great variety of fruit and ornamental trees. 



PEOSPECT HILL 



Lies to the northwest. From this point, a most 
charming view is spread out before us. To the east- 
ward the shadowy range of forest-clad mountains stretch 
away to the south, where the broad bosom of the lake, 
with the little emerald isle, lie peacefully in the dis- 
tance : while directly before us is the village, with the 
placid waters of " Lake Clement '^ in the foreground. 



WAIONTHA MOUNTAIN. 153 

Two new streets from Main, have recently been opened 
to this eminence, by the enterprising proprietor. (See 
Frontispiece^ 



WAIONTHA MOUNTAIN 

Is situated directly to the east of Richfield Springs, about 
two miles distant, and is boldly outlined against the 
eastern sky. After a slightly fatiguing ascent, we find 
ourselves elevated far above the surrounding country. 
" Get thee up into the top of Pisgah (Waiontha), and 
lift up thine eyes, westward and northward, and east- 
ward and southward, and behold it with thine eyes." 
(Deut. iii. 27.) To the lover of nature this point offers 
a most picturesque and charming view in every direction. 
Far beneath us, the eye rests upon the most beautiful 
scenes of cultivated fertility and civilized refinement — 
wide-spreading farms, rich in all the elements of wealth 
and luxury, graceful undulations and lofty hills covered 
with wild forests, and seamed with rocky gorges worn in 
their sides by tumbling streams and leaping cascades. 
The hillsides are dotted with snowy flocks, and cattle are 
quietly grazing, or repose peacefully in the shades of 
isolated trees. 

" The cattle upon a tliousand hills are His." 
The old pastures, rolling around the bases of the hills, 
look like the smoothly shaven lawns of some vast pleas- 
ure park. From this point we can look into nine differ- 
ent counties, viz. Otsego, Schoharie, Montgomery, Ful- 
ton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Oneida, Madison, and Che- 
nango. 

To the north the eye can take in a range of more than 
forty miles, embracing the Bear and Panther mountains, 



154: KICJI FIELD 9PKINGS AND VICINITY. 

that lie beyond the Garoga and Fish lakes of Fulton 
County. To the northeast, a portion of the Adirondacks 
are visible, while the deep vailey of the historic Mohawk 
stretches far away into the labyrinths of the mountain- 
ranges beyond. 

Directly to the east, about ten miles, can be seen the 
bold prominence known as " Caj^e Wicotf," that over- 
looks Cherry Yalley, with the ''Sharon Hills" in the 
distance. To the southeast, we can look down into the 
beautiful valley of the JSusquehanna, with its wood-cov- 
ered mountains that bound it on the east. To the south 
is a succession of lofty hills and deep valleys, while to 
the west lies the valley of Canadarago Lake, with its 
ranges of hills and mountains beyond ; and the entire 
village of llichfield Springs is in full view. 

Six distinct lakes can be seen from the summit of 
Waiontha Mountain, viz. Otsego, Canadarago, Allen's, 
Young's, Weaver's, and Summit Lake. The last named is 
situated about live miles to the northeast, but almost 
entirely hidden from view by intervening hills and for- 
ests. This little lake, as its name implies, occupies a po- 
sition on the dividing ridge betw^een the valleys of the 
Mohawk and Susquehanna, discharging its waters both 
north and south into these valleys respectively. In the 
month of May, 1839, five young people were drowned in 
this lake. Six persons were crossing the lake in a small 
boat, and when near the shore, the boat suddenly sprang 
aleak, and, turning over, precipitated the whole party 
into the water. The names of those drowned were 
Abram Walter, Catharine and Nancy Walter, nieces of 
the above, and a Mr. Barringer and sister. A little daugh- 
ter of Abram Walter clung to the boat and was rescued. 
Abram Walter was a brother of Mr. Jacob Walter, of this 
vilhiire. 



WAIONTHA MOUNTAIK. 155 

A short distance to the west of Summit Lake is a deep 
eink, called the "Kyle," into which a considerable stream 
of water flows, and disappears in a subterranean passage 
for several miles, and again appears on the surface near 
Van-Horns ville.* This sink is tunnel-shaped, about two 
hundred feet in circumference and fifteen feet deep. 
After heavy rains, it is sometimes filled with water, which, 
while it sink* away, moves round in rapid gyrations. On 
the estate of the late Col. Grain, about three miles to the 
west of the *' Kyle," are several cavities of similar char- 
acter, one of which is said to be fifty feet deep. At the 
base of Waiontha Mountain, to the northeast, lie the 
twin lakes called by the Indians Wa-i-on-tha^\ a few rods 
apart, but united by a liquid ribbon, and holding in their 
embrace a quiet little hamlet, with its white church-spire, 
and adjacent church-yard with its monumental stones. 
One of these lakes is nearly hid from view from this 
point, by an intervening eminence of woodland on the 
estate of Mr. John E. Dalphin. 

A few rods to the south lies Allen's Lake, a little cir- 
cular basin, sparkling in the sunlight, and fringed with 
evergreens. The water of this lake is very pure, being 
fed exclusively by mountain springs. We trust that at 
no distant day this beautiful lake will be appropriated as 
a reservoir for the supply of water to Eichfield Springs, 
as it lies three hundred feet above the village. Near the 
outlet of this lake stands an antiquated little saw-mill, 
showing that the flow of water must be considerable to 
answer its requirements. A variety of large and excel- 

* Near this place, the early settlers found a large hemlock-tree 
entirely petrified. Also a gas spring, the vapor of which could be 
easily ignited. 

f From which the mountain takes its name. At Van-Hornsville 
is a rocky " cave," much frequented by the guests of the Springs. 



156 EICIIFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

lent fish are found in its waters. On the summit of 
Waiontha Mountain, is a beautifully level plateau of 
several acres, covered with a fine, vigorous growth of 
young forest-trees ; and it seems to be admirably adapted 
by nature for pleasure-grounds. Its extreme altitude 
of over seven hundred feet above the village, accessibility, 
and proximity to Riclifield Springs, will no doubt soon 
call the attention of our citizens to the necessity of pre- 
paring it as a place of resort for the guests of the village. 
We may regard it as a good specific for indigestion, to 
ascend these high latitudes, and breathe the pure air of 
heaven, so full of electric life and vigor. It is indeed 
delightful to stand upon those elevated places of the 
earth, deeply impressed with the pleasurable emotions 
of freedom, in this our temporary isolation. We nat- 
urally grow into a liking of the country, with its fresh 
and bracing air, and the sparkling dew that at sunrise 
covers the hills and valleys with a profusion of brilliant 
diamonds ; the wild rivers that silently wind among the 
hills, or bathe the feet of the mountains ; the shaggy mists 
that lie in the twilight like unravelled clouds, lost upon 
the distant meadows ; and we love especially the roman- 
tic hills, climbing in verdant beauty toward the sky, or, 
stretching in the dim distance, their soft blue smoky out- 
lines. We love the lofty forest-trees that lift their broad 
arms toward heaven, and sway gently in the summer's 
breeze ; we love the breadth and magnitude of the unre- 
strained liberty of country life, that kindles within our 
hearts the most exalted emotions of gratitude, and rev- 
erence for the true and the natural. 

" Thou who wouldst see the lovely and the wild 
Mingled in harmony on nature's face. 
Ascend our rugged mountains. Let thy foot 
Fail not with weariness, for on their toi^s 



WAIONTHA OBSERVATORY. 

The beauty and the majesty of earth, 

Spread wide beneath, shall make thee to forget 

The steep and toilsome way. There as thoa stand'st, 

The haunts of men below thee, and around 

The mountain summits, thy expanding heart 

Shall feel a kindred with that loftier world 

To whicli thou art translated, and partake 

The enlargement of thy vision. 

Thou Shalt look upon the green and rolling forest-tops. 

And down into the secrets of the glens, and streams, 

That with their bordering thickets strive 

To hide their windings. Thou shalt gaze, at once. 

Here on white villages, and tilth, and herds. 

And swarming roads, and there on solitudes 

That only hear the torrent, and the wind. 

And eagle's shriek." 



157 



WAIOKTHA OBSERYATORY. 

Under the authority of the citizens of Richfield 
Springs, an observatory is now being erected on the sum- 
mit of Waiontha Mountain. It is designed especially for 
the pleasure of our summer visitors, and is free to all. 
This structure is an open frame-work of wood seventy 
feet in height, standing far above the surrounding forest- 
trees. This point is said to be the highest in the State, 
except the " Adirondacks," and from the top of this 
observatory on a clear day will be visible a vast and 
beautiful expanse of hill, dale, lake, and plain, spread like 
a map in every direction before the beholder. 



RUM HILL. 



There are several prominent points in this vicin- 
ity from which extensive and beautiful views can be 
obtained. Of these, " Rum Hill " is doubtless one of 



16S RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

the most popular places of resort for the guests of the 
Springs, being very accessible from the highwa}' leading 
from Allen's Lake to Coopers town. It is situated about 
two miles directlv south from Waiontha Mountain. 



MOHEGAN HILL. 

About one mile to the southwest of AV^aiontha stands 
Mohegan Hill, partly divested of the dense forests that 
once enveloped its entire summit. From this point a 
charming view is presented of the deep valley, lake, and 
village. This summit is six hundred and lifty feet 
above the village of Kichfield Springs. Standing against 
the horizon, to the west, are the bold outlines of the blue 
hills of the town of Exeter, that appear like the rolling 
waves of the restless ocean. 

At the western base of Mohegan Hill stands the 
farm residence of Mr. John Derthick. 



GANG'S HILL, 

Kecently laid out into village lots and sold to individ- 
uals, lies to the westward and south of Main Street. 
From this point a fine view is obtained in ever}^ direc- 
tion. Several neat residences have already been erected 
in this locality. 



CANADAKAGG HILL. 

This abrupt prominence, or steppe, seems to have 
been lifted up by some mysterious agency, from the 
level plain by w^hich it is surrounded. A carriage drive- 



wilder's hill — panther's mountain. 159 

way, of one half mile, has been cnt around its sloping 
sides, and its summit graded to a level plateau, and 
neatly set with many young trees ; a most desirable site 
for a mansion or pavilion. The railroad depot buildings 
are located at the western base of this eminence. 



WILDER'S HILL. 



This eminence is situated directly to the east, and is 
one mile distant from the centre of the village. The 
residence of Mr. George Wilder occupies the summit, 
and is one of the most pleasantly located residences in 
this vicinity, overlooking the entire village and valley 
to the westward. Wilder's Hill, with its long gradual 
slope toward the village, furnishes many desirable sites 
for residences, being bounded on the north by a beauti- 
ful native forest of a great variety of trees and shrubbery. 



PANTHER'S MOUNTAIN. 

This is an elevated point, situated about one mile to 
the southeast, still clothed in all its primitive beauty of 
dense forest-trees and shrubbery, reaching far down into 
the valley below. It was the favorite hunting-ground of 
the Indian " Panther," who delighted in its wildness and 
seclusion. 

This mountain, together with the contiguous range 
to the southward, still abounds in a variety of game. 
As we enter its deep shades, dark with the foliage of 
midsummer, and vocal with the notes of feathered song- 
sters and the monotonous hum of insect life, the gentle 
breeze sighs through the topmost branches of the lofty 



160 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

forest trees, and the wild-pigeon coos in the becchen 
boughs over our heads ; the saucy little squirrel chatters 
in his hemlock ambush close by, and the partridge whirs 
rapidly away from the tangled copse invaded by our 
feet, or greets us with his d;-um from his mossy retreat. 
To the west lies the placid Canadarago Lake, and to the 
north is the village of Kichlield Springs, partly hidden 
by the thick foliage of ornamental trees and shrubbery 
that adorn the grounds of the residences and shade the 
streets and walks in every direction. 

Against the western horizon are outlined the retreat- 
ing mountain- tops, forming a background of great beau- 
ty. Scattered in every direction are rich farms, with 
their broad fields golden with grain or russet with stub- 
ble, white with fragrant buckwheat or emerald with car- 
pets of clover, while the white and elegant farm-houses, 
surrounded by shading copses of clean and clustering 
maples, or relieved against the dense foliage of fruit- 
laden orchards, complete the exquisite picture of mingled 
rusticity and high civilization. 

We love to ramble in the lone retreats of the forest, 
as " there is a pleasure in the pathless wood," for here 
we can muse with fair Nature, and be blest by her mild 
and gentle sympathy. 



BENNET'S HILL 



Stands one and a half miles to the west of the Springs, 
and is crowned by the old-fashioned but substantial farm- 
house of Mr. Elijah Bennet. 

This house is opened to guests through the summer 
season, and we can assure our city friends that they will 
find under this hospitable roof all the genuine products 



STOWEL HOUSE — GANO's GEOVE. 161 

of the farm, and every convenience for families, besides 
ample room for exercise in the open fields, or for ram- 
bling in the romantic retreats of the forest. 

There are many fine views from several points on 
this farm. 

STOWEL HOUSE. 

This large and elegant farm-house is situated near 
the " Walnut Grove," on the east bank of the lake, which 
it overlooks. The house is open to guests through the 
boarding season, and is a very desirable and pleasant 
home for those who seek the quiet retirement of the 
country. Harvey Stowel, Esq., proprietor. 



GANO'S GKOYE. 



Near the western boundary of the corporation of this 
village is a beautiful grove, composed of a great variety 
of large indigenous forest-trees, covering an area of about 
six acres of elevated level ground, and bounded on the 
west by a deep ravine, through which runs the Delaware, 
Lackawanna and Western Railroad, in its approach to the 
village. In the year 1869, a stock company was organ- 
ized by the following gentlemen, for the purpose of 
opening this grove to public use, and preparing it for 
pleasure parties, picnics, etc. : Hon. Louis Lawrence, 
James H. Gano, Hon. A. R. Elwood, Morgan Bryan, Dr. 
N. Getman, N. K. Ransom, E. W. Badger, Esq. 

The small trees and shrubbery were removed, walks 
were opened, and steps made leading from the railroad 
to the grounds above. Several rustic buildings and a 
large platform for dancing were also constructed. The 



162 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

situation of this grove is cliarmingly delightful, and easy 
of access from tlie village. Directly opposite the grove 
on the north is the residence of James 11. Gano, Esq., 
the proprietor of these beautiful grounds. This sylvan 
retreat presents a brilliant picture on a bright summer 
day, when filled with mau}^ joyous faces and merry trip- 
ping feet of happy children, who resort hither from the 
thronged cities to enjoy the gentle zephyrs that bring 
grateful coolness to the heated brow, and give bounding 
health and vigor to the frame of those of maturer years 
and more sedate proclivities. In the month of July, 1870, 
Prof. Squires made a balloon ascension from this grove. 



POPULAR DEIYES FROM RICHFIELD 
SPRINGS. 

CHERRY VALLEY. 

Ascending the eminence to the east of Richfield 
Springs, over which Main Street leads, the tourist will 
find a most delightful drive along the high and substantial 
turnpike that leads through a rich farming district. Pass- 
ing between the two little lakes, thence to the north of 
Otsego Lake, which can be seen a short distance to the 
south of Springfield, we soon reach the historic grounds 
of Cherry Valley, distant from the Springs about twelve 
miles. 

At the commencement of the Revolution, Cherry 
Yalley w^as still a frontier settlement. Lossing says, 
" Cherry Yalley derived its name, according to Campbell, 
from the following circumstance." Mr. Dunlop, the ven- 
erable pastor (whose family sufiered at the time of the 
massacre in 1788), engaged in writing some letters, in- 



POPULAR DEIVE8. 163 

quired of Mr. Lindesay (the original proprietor of the 
soil) where he should date them, who proposed the 
name of a town in Scotland. Mr. Dunlop, pointing 
to the fine wild-cherry trees, and to the valley, replied, 
*' Let us give our place an appropriate name, and call it 
Cherry Yalley ; " which was readily agreed to. {Annals 
of Tryon County) Late in the autumn of the above 
year. Cherry Yalley was attacked by the Tories and 
Indians under the lead of Butler and Brant, and a horri- 
ble massacre ensued. * The family of Kobert Wells, 
father of the late John Wells of New York, consisting 
of twelve persons, were brutally murdered ; and one of 
the Tories boasted that he killed Mr. Wells f while at 
prayer. John Wells, the only member of the family who 
escaped, was at school in Schenectady at the time. The 
wife and daughter of Mr. Dunlop, Mrs. Dickson, and 
the wife and four children of Mr. Mitchel, were murdered 
in cold blood. Thirty-two of the inhabitants, mostly 
women and children, and sixteen Continental officers and 
soldiers, were killed ; the residue of the inhabitants w^ere 
taken prisoners and carried off, and all the buildings in 
the place were burned. All the frontier settlements 
were ravaged, and nearly every building, except those be- 
longing to Tories, was burned. At the time the place 
was destroyed, James S. Campbell, father of Hon. W. W. 
Campbell, author of " The Annals of Tryon County," 
was a child six years of age, and was taken captive to- 

* The policy of tlie British Government, in appealing to the 
cupidity of the Indian tribes, by extravagant offers of reward for 
the scalps of the colonists, was deprecated by the Christian world. 
But we are glad to know that a few noble spirits in Parliament, among 
which were Pitt and Chatham, opposed this cruel measure with all 
the power that moral philosophy and eloquence could command. 

f The present residence of Mr. Joseph Phelon occupies the site 
of the original dwelling of Mr. Wells. 



164 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

gether with his mother and several other members of 
the family. Lossing says, " The children of Mrs. Camp- 
bell were all restored to her at Niagara except this one. 
In June, 1780, she was sent to Montreal, and there she 
was joined by her missing boy. He had been with a 
tribe of the Mohawks, and had forgotten his own language ; 
but he remembered his mother, and expressed his joy at 
seeing her, in the Indian language. She lived until 1836, 
being then ninetj^-three years of age. Slie was the last 
survivor of the Revolutionary women in the region of 
the headwaters of the Susquehanna." Her son, Hon. 
James S. Campbell, died at Cherry Valley,* March 23d, 
1870, aged ninety-eight years. 

About two miles to the north of Cherry Valley, in a 
field to the left of the road leading to the Mohawk, is 
what is known as " Brant's Rock," near which Lieut. 
Wormwood was shot and scalped by the notorious Indian 
chief Brant during the Revolution. 

At the time of the destruction of Cherry Valley, in a 
westerly direction about one mile resided Mr. Clyde and 
family, who almost miraculously escaped the fate of the 
victims already noticed. The father early sought, on 
hearing of the common danger, to join the brave de- 
fenders of the settlement ; but on nearing the house of 
Mr. Wells, was driven back by the savages, a portion of 
whom had already taken the field leading to his home. 
His family fled, escaping to a high point of land covered 
by a dense forest. A daughter became separated from the 
others, and after being exposed several hours to the cold 

*Bj the liberality of a Cliristian lady of Cherry Valley, a stone 
chnrch and lecture-room of extraordinary beauty, style, and work- 
manship, costing $30,000, was recently presented to the Presbyterian 
church and society of the above place, which will stand as a monu- 
ment to her memory many years after she has passed from the shores 
of time. 



POPULAR DRIVES. 165 

of a J^ovember night, was finally sought out and brought 
back by a soldier, from whom she attempted to flee, sup- 
posing him to be an enemy. She bore away in her arms 
an infant brother of six years, the grandfather of the now 
living Mr. Jeiferson Clyde, of Cherry Yalley, to whom 
we are indebted for valuable facts in relation to the early 
settlement of this section. 

In a recent visit to Cherry Yalley, we were not a little 
surprised to find that no monument marked the burial- 
place of these early martyrs, except one modest slab of 
marble that tells the sad story of the fearful day : " In 
memory of the brave Colonel ' Ichabod Alden,' native 
of Danbury, Massachusetts, who was murdered by the 
savages in this place, on the 11th day of November, 
1Y78, in the thirty-second year of his age." With won- 
dering regret we looked for something pointing to the 
place where the massacred fathers, mothers, grown-up 
sons and daughters, the hoary-headed grand-parents, and 
infant children were buried. Tradition points to a de- 
pression in the ground wdiere the thirty-two were interred 
in one common grave ; and as it is feared by the writer 
that the neglect of the past may continue to the utter 
oblivion of this sacred spot, he would record that eight 
feet to the west of the grave of the thirty-two murdered 
inhabitants, there stands a square marble shaft, about seven 
feet high, inscribed, " To Sarah Wilson, who died in 
1778, aged thirty-six years." 

Immediately after the close of the Revolution, the 
individuals and families that escaped from Cherry Yalley 
during the war. returned again to their homes, and the 
place was soon rebuilt and occupied by other settlers 
also, and was for many years the principal settlement in 
Otsego County, furnishing to the country some of its 
most distinguished men, among whom were — John Wells 



166 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

Esq., the distinguished lawyer of New York city ; Hon. 
W. W. Campbell, author of " Annals of Tryon County ; " 
liev. Eliphalet Nott ; Jabez D. Ilaniniond, Esq., author of 
" Political History of New York ; " Hon. Levi Beardsley, 
author of " Reminiscences of Otsego ; " Hon. Judge See- 
ley ; Alvan Stewart, Esq. ; James O. Morse, Esq. Also, 
Dr. Joseph White, and his two sons, Delos and Menzo 
White, who were three of the most distinguished surgeons 
of the country. On the occasion of the funeral of Dr. 
Menzo White, the clergyman. Rev. Mr. Nichols, pointing 
in the direction of the late " office" * of the deceased, 
remarked, " Yonder office, the modern ' Betliesda^ the 
ramifications of whose healings were well-nigh as mul- 
titudinous as the ' catacombs ' of ancient HomeP 

The beautiful village of Cherry Yalley is situated near 
the headwaters of Cherry Yalley Ci'eek, in the extreme 
northeastern part of Otsego County, and has a popula- 
tion of about 1,500. This is the present terminus of the 
railroad from Cobleskill, on the Albany and Susque- 
hanna road via Sharon Springs to Cherry Yalley. 

Efforts are now being made to continue this railroad 
west to Richfield Springs {surveys having already heen 
made\ connecting with the Delaware, Lackawaima and 
AVesteru, thus opening to the latter point a shorter and 
more direct communication with the city of Albany, 
distant only sixty-five miles. 






SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL. 

A MARBLE monument, about twenty feet high, of 
beautiful execution and proportions, and crowned by an 
eagle, stands in a public centre in this village. Upon 

* The office of Dr. Menzo White is now occupied by his nephew, 
Dr. Joseph White, a popular and skilful practitioner. 



MRS. STOWE. 167 

the four sides of this monument are inscribed the prin- 
cipal battles in which thirty-five of the brave souls of 
Cherry Yalley " died that tlieir county'y might live / " 
viz. Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, second Bull 
Kun, Cold Harbor, Winchester, AVilderness, Petersburg. 

Qth N, Y. Cavalry.— Sergt. Philo D. Chaddenden, 
Jacob Hardendorf, John Beaumont, Sergt. James H. 
Moore, Samuel Bates. 

121^^ JV. Y. Infantry. — Sergt. John Daniels, James 
Sherman, Jabez D. Wilson, Sergt. Edward Wales, Geo. 
N. L. Drake, Joseph B. Howe, John W. Ballard. 

U. S. Navy. — George P. Engell, Col. and Brev. Gen. 
Cleveland J. Campbell. 

1st Regt. U. S. S. >^.— Capt. Charles D. McLean, 
Dwight Reed, Henry T. Ferguson, Sergt. Wm. O. 
McLean, Charles Gould. 

U, S. iV^.— Charles P. N. Nuhall. 

lOUh N. Y. /.—John Barker. 

U ISf. Y. II. ^.— John H. Bush. 

1^^ N. Y. a— John F. Bottsford. 

Uh N. Y. H. ^.—Salmon Drake. 

Ih2d N. Y. I. — Geo. Nelson, Cornelius Hardendort, 
Geo. Yan De Bogart. 

4:Uh N. Y. I. — Corp. James H. Drake, John Wallace. 

"J^Sth N. Y. /.— Capt. Robert Story, 1st Lieut. Bar- 
nard Phenis, Wm. Sterns Bradford, J. D. Fox. 

Uh N. Y. O.—W. C. Crafts, 1st Lieut. 



MRS. STOWE 



Says (in 1 872), " Cherry Yalley to-day is an innocent, 
quiet Arcadia, lying within an hour's distance of three of 
the most fashionable summer watering-places, so that a 



1G8 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

short ride may bring joa in sight of all the pomps and 
vanities that one may desire to see. Sharon Springs 
and Kichiield now rival Saratoga in attraction, and num- 
ber their thousands. Cooperstown is another most attrac- 
tive and much-frequented point. 

" We visited Richfield, and passed a day very pleas- 
antly. It is a village of hotels and boarding-houses, and it 
was said three thousand visitors were there summer- 
ing. There is a spring there whose waters we should 
think would be sufficient to frighten anybody away that 
ever tasted them, evidently either sulphurated or phos- 
phorated hydrogen. One would think that it must 
have been bored down into some antediluvian stratum 
of spoiled eggs. Yet drinking of this spring appears to 
be one of the things to do in Eichfield. We understand 
that ladies enamelled with bismuth, arsenic, and other 
minerals have occasionally been turned all sorts of colors 
by the vapor of this spring. 

'' What if there were a moral test of all shams equal- 
ly searching ! For the rest, Richfield has a high, pure air, 
wdiich is said to be very health-giving ; and it is a fact, 
we are told, that people who once begin to go there come 
back year after year with increasing interest." 



GENERAL CLINTON'S EXPEDITION. 

" In the spring of 1779, it was determined to send a 
formidable force into the Indian country of Western 
New York, for the purpose of chastising the savages and 
their Tory allies so thoroughlj^ that the settlements upon 
the Mohawk and the upper brandies of the Susquehanna 
might enjoy a season of repose. The tribes of the Six 
Nations were then populous. They had many villages, 



GENERAL CLINTON's EXPEDITION. 169 

vast corn-fields, and fruitful orchards and gardens in the 
fertile country westward of Otsego Lake. It was sup- 
posed that the most effectual method to subdue or 
weaken them would be to destroy their homes and lay 
waste their fields, and thus drive them farther back into 
the wilderness toward Lake Erie. Already the Mohawks 
had been thrust out of the valley of their name, and 
their families were upon the domains of the Cayugas and 
Senecas. It was, therefore, determined to make a com- 
bined movement upon them of two strong divisions of 
military, one from Pennsylvania and the other from the 
north, at a season when their fields and orchards were 
fully laden with grain and fruits. It was a part of the 
plan of the expedition to penetrate the country to 
Niagara, and break up the nest of vipers there. General 
Sullivan was placed in the chief command, and led in 
person the division that ascended the Susquehanna from 
Wyoming, while General Clinton commanded the forces 
that penetrated the country from the mouth of the 
Canajoharie. It was arranged to unite the two divisions 
at Tioga. Clinton's troops, fifteen hundred strong, were 
mustered at Canajoharie on the 15th of June, and on 
the 17th he commenced the transportation of his bateaux 
and provisions across the hilly country to Springfield, at 
the head of Otsego Lake, a distance of more than twenty 
miles. It was an arduous duty, for his boats numbered 
two hundred and twenty, and he had provisions sufficient 
for three months. He reached Springfield, with all his 
baggage, on the 30th. On his way he captured Hare 
and Newberry, two notorious spies, the former a lieu- 
tenant in the British service, and the latter the miscreant 
who murdered, Mr. Mitchel's wounded child at Cherry 
Yalley. 

" They were tried, and hanged, pursuant to the sen- 
8 



170 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

tence of the court, and to tlie entire satisfaction of the 
inhabitants of the country. Clinton with his division pro- 
ceeded to the foot of Otsego Lake, and there awaited 
orders from Sullivan. A day or two after his arrival, 
General Schuyler communicated to him the important in- 
formation that the purpose of the expedition was known to 
the enemy, and that four hundred and hfty regular troops, 
one hundred Tories, and thirty Indians had been sent from 
Montreal to reinforce the tribes against whom it was des- 
tined. This information General Schuyler received from 
a spy whom he had sent into Canada. The spy had also 
informed him that they were to be joined by one-half of 
Sir John Johnson's regiment and a portion of the garri- 
son at Niagara. On the 5th, Mr. Dean, the Indian inter- 
preter, arrived with thirty-live Oneida warriors, who came 
to explain the absence of their tribe, whom Clinton, by 
direction of Sullivan, had solicited to join him. They 
confirmed the intelligence sent by Schuyler, and added 
that a pai'ty of Cayugas and Tories, three hundred in 
number, were then npon the war-path, and intended to 
hang upon the outskirts of Clinton's army on its march 
to Tioga. Clinton remained at the south end of Otsego 
Lake, awaiting the tardy movements of Sullivan, until the 
first week in August. His troops became impatient, yet 
he was not idle. He performed a feat which exhibited 
much ingenuity and forecast. He discovered that in 
consequence of a long drought, the outlet of the lake 
was too inconsiderable to allow his boats to pass down 
upon its waters. He therefore raised a dam across it at 
the foot of the lake, by w^hich the waters would be. so 
accumulated, that when it should be removed, the bed 
of the outlet would be filled to the brim, and bear his 
boats upon the flood. 

" The work was soon accomplished, and in addition to 



COOPERSTOWN. 171 

the advantages which it promised to the expedition, the 
damming of the lake caused great destruction of grain 
upon its borders, for its banks were overflowed, and vast 
corn-fields belonging to the Indians were deluged and 
destroyed. The event also greatly alarmed the savages. 
It was a very dry season, and they regarded the sudden ris- 
ing of the lake, without any apparent cause, as an evidence 
that the Great Spirit was displeased with them. And 
when Clinton moved down the stream with his large 
flotilla upon its swollen flood, the Indians along its banks 
were amazed, and retreated into the depths of the forest." 
{Lossing^s Revolution^ 



COOPEKSTOWJST. 



The site of this village was first seen by an Anglo- 
Saxon in the year 1737. The next visit made to this 
point, of which we have any record, was the expedition 
of General Clinton, previously noticed. The village of 
Cooperstown was first settled by Judge Wm. Cooper,^ 
about the year 1790, and was incorporated in 1807 as the 
village of Otsego ; but its name was changed to Coopers- 
town in 1812. It has been the county seat from its first 
settlement to the present time. 

In the summer of 1784, General Washington, in com- 
pany with General George Clinton and several other 
oificers of the U. S. army, leaving the Mohawk Eiver at 
Canajoharie, visited Cherry Yalley and Otsego Lake, 
then surrounded by the deep solitudes of an unbroken 
wilderness. Cooperstown, at the present time, is one of 
the most beautiful villages of Central IN'ew York. It lies 
in a deep valley, at the south end of Otsego Lake, bor- 
* Father of James Fenimore Cooper. 



172 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

dered on the east and west by wood-covered mountains 
that stretch far away to the north and south. The vil- 
lage has a population of about two thousand. Since 
the completion of the railroad to this point from the 
Albany and Binghamton road, sixteen miles distant, it 
has become a place of popular resort through the sum- 
mer months, for pleasure-seekers and invalids who desire 
the high mountain air of the country. 

Cooperstown is amply supplied with large and com- 
modious hotels,* and every facility for the entertain- 
ment of guests. It has the purest of water, delightful 
walks and drives, and the most romantic and picturesque 
natural scenery in this portion of the State. On the 
western shore of Otsego Lake are several delightful 
points, that present some of the most beautiful views to 
be found in this region. The Three-mile-point House f 
is very pleasantly located, overlooking the lake and vil- 
lage of Cooperstown. Directly in front is the wood 
covered projection known as "Three-mile" or "Wild- 
rose Point." " A favorite resort for picnics. Upon 
this spot have congregated in merry dance the old and 
young, from almost every quarter of the globe." " Ay ! 
water you shall have, if you drink the lake dry. I'll just 
carry you down to it, that you may drink your fill." 
" Here he first helped him to take an attitude in which he 
could appease his burning thirst." {Deerslayer). 

Hon. Samuel Nelson, Judge of the Supreme Court of 
the United States, was a resident of Cooperstown. Died 
December 12th, 1873, aged eighty years. 

Cooperstown and Richfield Springs are now inti- 

* Of the number of hotels of the place, we may mention the 
" Cooper House," the " Central," the " Fenimore," and Carr's Hotel, 
as being among the largest and most commodious of the country. 

f A. W. Thayer, proprietor. 




Five-mile Poixt, Otsego Lake. 



THE FIVE-MILE-POINT HOUSE. 175 

matelj connected by a line of steamboats,* on Otsego 
Lake, 9 miles, and omnibuses to Eichfield, 7 miles. We 
trust the time is not far distant when the railroad will 
be continued from Cooperstown to Richfield Springs, 
thus forming a connection with the railroad to this place. 



"THE FIVE MILE-POmT HOUSE." 

In the year 1847 a carriage road was opened along the 
western shore of Otsego Lake, cut in the steep sides of 
the banks near the water's edge. This wild and beauti- 
fully shaded road now forms one of the most delightful 
drives to be found in this whole region. 

In 1850 a public house f was erected at what is now 
popularly known as the '-Five-mile Point," by Mr. J. D. 
Tunnicliff, its present gentlemanly proprietor. This is 
one of the most romantic and picturesque places of resort 
to be found on the gravelly shores of the lake. The 
level lawn and open grounds of this house extend far out 
into the lake, and are pleasantly shaded by gigantic oaks 
and other forest-trees, whose dark outlines are distinctly 
reflected in the deep bosom of the transparent waters. 

A fleet of row-boats are to be seen moored on the 
gravelly beach, with every convenience for the sports of 
the angler. 

The lake abounds in a great variety of most excellent 
fish, among which the famous "Otsego bass" far tran- 
scend in quality all others known to the civilized world, 
and are found only in the waters of this lake. Having 

* The " Natty Bumppo " and " Pioneer." 

f This public house is a favorite stopping-place for the guests of 
Eichfield Springs, on their way to Cooperstown. 



176 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

secured your filsh, you can have them cooked in marvellous 
style in the cuisine of the excellent hotel, together with 
a great variety of epicurean luxuries, known as '■'game 
dinners.'''' A short distance to the west of Five-mile 
Point, in the rugged mountain-forest, is what is known as 
the " Caiion," still to be seen in all its pristine beauty, 
through which rushes a rapidly flowing stream, tumbling 
over rock}^ beds of limestone ledges, as it hurries on to- 
ward the tranquil bosom of the " Haunted Lake." " 'Twas 
through this caiion, ' Deerslayer ' * made his escape when 
pursued by the Hurons.'^ " The Hurons were whooping 
and leaping behind him. He saw by the formation of the 
land that a deep g\Qn. intervened before the base of a sec- 
ond hill could be reached. A fallen tYee, lay near him, in 
a line parallel to the glen, at the brow of the hill : to leap 
on it took but a moment. Previous to disappearing 
from his pursuers, however, Deerslayer stood on the 
height, and gave a cry of triumph, as if exulting at the 
sight of the descent that lay before him.'* (Deerslayer, 
xxvii.) 

'' The Five-mile Point is the place selected by 
'Hetty' for landing, after lier escape from the Ark. 
The point in question was the first projection that offered 
on that side of the lake where a canoe, if set adrift with 
a southerly air, would float clear of the land., and where 
it might be no great violation of probabilities to sup- 
pose it might even hit the Castle. Such then was Hetty's 
intention, and she landed on the extremity of the gravelly 
point, beneath an overhanging oak." (Deerslayer.) 

* Cooper^s works. Views of Otsego Lake scenery, by W. G. Smith, 
of Cooperstown, for sale at tlie Mve-mile-point House. 



OTSEGO LAKE AND COOPER. 177 



OTSEGO LAKE AND COOPEE. 

Six miles directly east from Kichfield Springs, over 
a delightfully pleasant highway, brings ns to the beauti- 
ful and historic " Otsego Lake," stretching itself entirely 
across the valley between the lofty ranges of wood- 
covered mountains that bound it on the east and west, and 
extending from the " Sleeping Lion" on the north to the 
Otsego Kock, near the outlet on the south, a distance 
of about nine miles. 

OTSEGO LAKE. 

BY MRS. S. J. DOUGLASS. 

All hail, fair Otsego ! tliou beautiful lake. 

With thy green wooded slopes, fringed with fern and with brake, 

And " Wellington Mountain," towering so high. 

Stands poised like an eagle, close to the sky ; 

Yes, he stands like a monarch in royal array, 

When the sunlight comes up to the rim of the day. 

Casting bright splendor all over thy face, 

Till it ripples and dimples with wonderful grace ; 

Then the gold of the sun and the woods' emerald green 

Harmoniously blend with thine own silver sheen ; 

And at night, when the moonlight peeps out from the cloud. 

Each star is reflected, each leaf is endowed 

With thy magical beauty, thy fairy-like charm, 

While each wave lies asleep on thy bosom so calm. 

Then the Cooperstown spires reflect in thy blue. 

And the fleecy white clouds drop down diamonds of dew, 

Which embroider thy banks like the robe of a queen. 

Setting here a pearl dewdrop and there a moonbeam. 

With such delicate skill, that a Rembrandt might pine 

To be able to picture such beauty as thine. 

Not " Afton's sweet water," nor " Elgin," nor " Ayr," 

Nor Burns' " Bonny Doon," can with thee compare ; 

And Byron may sing, in his praise of the " Rhine," 

There are classical beauties which only are thine ; 



178 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

And Cooper has made tliee immortal we know, 
For we read of thy charms in the long, long ago ; 
And we'll echo the song of thy praises again 
Till woodland and mountain and valley and glen 
Shall join in the anthem, shall swell the refrain, 
While the winds bear it back to thy bosom again, 
To dash up the waters in white- caps and roar 
Like the sound of the sea on the wave-beaten shore. 

Writing from Cooperstown, a correspondent says : 
" I confess to a weakness for visiting the houses and 
haunts of men of genius. IN'othing in the world drew 
me here but the fact that it was the place where Cooper, 
the great novelist, lived, died, and was buried. I wished 
to see the scenes so graphically described in the ' Pioneer,' 
and other Leatherstocking tales, and to visit the spot 
where the great master drew so much of inspiration. 

"I had heard much about the loveliness of the place, 
and for once fame has not overshot the mark. The situ- 
ation is most picturesque. Cooperstown is embowered in 
the sweetest of little valleys, amid mountain views, at the 
source of the Susquehanna Kiver. It has a rich valley 
on the one side, and the Otsego Lake on the other. This 
lake is not unworthy of the appellation bestowed upon 
it by Cooper, of ' Glimmerglass,' for the wonderful 
transparency of its waters. On its eastern shores extend 
a range of mountains from five to six hundred feet high, 
densely wooded. On the western shore the hills are less 
high, less rugged, but hardly less picturesque." 

CLASSIC SCENES— THE LEATHER STOCKING TALES. 

The shores of this lake are classic. Every cove and 
rocky glen is hallowed by tender memories. Here are 
located some of the most thrilling scenes in the '' Leather- 
Btocking" tales. Here glorious "Natty Bumppo," first 



MEMENTOS OF COOPER— HIS FAMILY. 179 

as the youthful ^^ Deerslajer," afterwards as the aged 
" Leatherstocking," loved the dark-ejed Judith Halter, 
and rescued from the panther's claws the fair form of 
" Elizabeth Temple." Here the curious traveller may 
explore the depths of '^ Leatherstocking's Cave," visit the 
scenes of the fight with the panther, and the site of 
Muskrat Castle. So true was Cooper to life, so faithful 
to nature are his pictures, that every curve and indenta- 
tion of the shore and every sweep of the hills is famil- 
iar to the reader of the " Pioneer " and " Deerslayer," It 
requires no great stretch of fancy to people the scenes 
with wraiths of old "Haller," "Harry Hussy," the 
gentle " Hetty," " Wah-ta-wah " the Indian maiden, 
" N'atty," and the rest of the deathless concourse. 
Otsego is fitly called the " Haunted Lake." 

MEMENTOS OF COOPER— HIS FAMILY. 

Family aristocracies are short-lived in America. 
Judge Cooper, father of the novelist, was a petty landed 
baron in his time. He was virtually the founder of the 
place, over whose few inhabitants he exercised a mild 
species of lorddom. He was a man of courtly manners, 
lived in what in those days was considered a stately 
mansion, and entertained distinguished company, num- 
bering among his guests a no less illustrious personage 
than Prince Talleyrand. His distinguished son kept upi 
something of the family state, but, living much abroad, 
aifairs fell into neglect. Cooper and Professor Morse, 
the inventor of the magnetic telegraph, were intimate 
friends. They knew each other as young men, when 
Cooper was a literary fledgling and Morse an obscure 
artist at Cooperstown ; they knew each other in Europe, 
when each had become famous. After his death,* the 
* J. Fenimore Cooper died Sept. 14th, 1851, aged sixty -two years. 



180 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY^ 

family was broken up, and the Cooper mansion, after 
various vicissitudes, was finally burned. The oblitera- 
tion of such an historical landmark is now re2:arded as a 
pubhc loss. A son of the novelist is a lawyer at Albany 
— a most estimable gentleman, but of no literary ambi- 
tion. One of the daughters is married to a wealthy 
gentleman in Cooperstown. Three other daughters are 
also residents of Cooperstown at the present time. 

COOPER'S GRAVE AND MONUMENT. 

"Cooper sleeps in the village cemetery beside his 
kindred, an unpretending slab marking the site of his 
grave. His monument is at the new cemetery, on the 
eastern shore of the lake, just beyond the site of the 
panther scene in the ' Pioneer.' It is of Italian marble, 
twenty -five feet high, with a figure of Leatherstocking 
on the summit. Natty is represented as loading his 
rifle and gazing off on the lake spread out beneath him, 
while his dog by his side watches his master with eager 
interest. 

" The die is carved with symbols in alto-^'ilievo : on 
one side is the name of ' Fenimore Cooper,' sur- 
rounded by palm and oak branches ; on the opposite is 
the student's lamp and inkstand, with the pen borne 
aloft by an eagle. On the north side are the naval 
emblems (Cooper served in the navy some time), and on 
the south the Indian devices — bow and quiver of arrows, 
scalp-locks on a lance, tomahawk, and necklace of bea- 
vers' claws." 



THE ANDRUSTOWN SETTLERS. 181 



THE AISTDRUSTOWIS" SETTLEES. 

Allusion has already been made to the ancient 
" German Settlement," in the north part of the town of 
Warren, known as " Andrustown." One cannot but 
contemplate with interest this little colony of seven 
families, subsisting through many years upon the small 
area of land from which they had cleared aw^ay the forest, 
the dark primeval wilderness shutting them in on all 
sides. Let it be borne in mind that we write of a period 
long before the Kevolution ; anterior even to the " Old 
French War," before the adventurous New-Englander had 
turned his attention to the wild solitudes of Central JSTew 
York. For the Andrustown colonists the nearest point 
of civilization was the German settlement at Herkimer 
(then German Flats), nine miles distant, and only acces- 
sible by an Indian path. 

From the hostile incursions of the French and their 
barbarous allies, the savages, these settlers were in con- 
stant danger ; and when, in 1756 and 1767, these enemies 
overran and devastated the " German Flats," the Andrus- 
town colonists shared the dangers and sufferings of their 
countrymen in the valley. A letter published in the 
''New Torlc Mercury ^^ of May 22d, 1758, being a 
relation of the murder committed at the " German Flats," 
near " Fort Herchamer^'' by " 80 Indians and 4 French- 
men," states as follows : "About 3 o'clock, most part of 
the inhabitants, having notice from Captain Herchamer, 
left their homes, and assembled at the Fort. Four fam- 
ilies, that fled from Henderson's purchase (Andrustown) 
in the spring for fear of the enemy, could not get in, and 
had in their houses two Indian traders, of the name of 
Clock, and six wagoners that were carrying Captain Gage's 



182 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

baggage to the Fort. At 4 o'clock, all of a sudden, the 
houses were attacked ; and the wagoners, being surprised, 
ran up stairs the better to defend themselves. The 
Indians immediately rushed into the house and killed 
and scalped all that were below ; some of the Indians 
attempted the stairs, but were knocked down by the 
wagoners ; they then fired up through the loft, and 
soon were joined by more Indians, who fired many shots 
quite through the house, and proposed to set it on fire, 
which intimidated John Ehel, a wagoner, to such a 
degree, that he leaped out at a window, thinking to 
make his escape, but was soon killed. The other five 
defended themselves with great intrepidity, having 
killed one Indian, until they were relieved by a party of 
rangers who came to their assistance ; and after ex- 
changing a few shots, the Indians fled, seeing our people 
having the advantage of a log-fence." We have given 
the above extract, only to show the participation of the 
^' Andrustown " colonists. Could they be collected into 
a volume, it would form a story of thrilling and patriotic 
interest. The names of the seven families forming the 
colony were Hoyers, Starring, Osterhout, Crims, Bell. 
Descendants of all these families are still living, and in 
some instances upon the sites originally? chosen by their 
ancestors. George Henry Bell^ a member of the Andrus- 
town family of that name, married Catherine, the sister 
of General Herkimer, and participated in the sanguinary 
battle of " 6^/'/.v^'cr7??/." Eeferring tohim Mr. Benton, in 
his history of Herkimer County, says : '^ Although not 
among the militia ofiicers appointed in 1775, he (Bell) 
commanded a company at the Oriskany battle, was 
wounded there, and afterwards placed on the invalid pen- 
sion-roll. His disability continued through life. Cap- 
tain Bell remained on the battle-field with General 



THE CRTJGER MANSION. 183 

HerMmer^^ until the action was over, and took charge 
of the escort which carried his wounded commander 
more than thirty miles on a litter. He brought with 
him from Oriskany a gun which he took in a hand-to- 
hand fight with a British officer, whom he killed. This 
trophy was long retained in the family, and exhibit- 
ed as evidence of military prowess. George Bell, Esq., 
of Jordonville, is a descendant of this family. (JD. J, 
Craln) 

The first liberty pole erected in the Mohawk Yalley 
was at the German Flats, in 1775, and was cut down the 
same year by British authority. The first settlement of 
Andrustown was made in the year 1722. 



THE CRUGER MAKSIO:tT, 

Known as the '' Henderson Home," was erected in the 
year 1836, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. It is an 
ancient-looking stone structure, situated at an elevated 
point, in the extreme northern part of the town of War- 
ren, Herkimer County, overlooking the deep valley of 
the Mohawk Kiver. It is seven miles directly north 
from Richfield Springs. The estate on which this man- 
sion stands was originally granted to Dr. Henderson, a 
surgeon in the royal army of Great Britain, and con- 
sisted of twenty-six thousand acres. Mrs. Harriet 
Cruger inherited fifteen hundred acres of the estate, and 
built the mansion that bears her name. Mrs. Cruger 
was descended from the famous Douglas family of Scot- 
land. Was born June 29th, 1793 ; died May 5th, 1872. 



184 BICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



JOKDONYILLE. 

This pleasant and sequestered little village is situated 
five miles to the north of Richfield Springs. It was first 
located by Hon. Jonas Cleland, in 1788. It is a neat 
thrifty hamlet, containing a population of 350 souls. 
Surrounded by a rich farming people, it is the centre of 
a profitable business, represented by one store, tailor and 
cabinet shop, two shoe stores and two blacksmith shops. 
Has one Baptist church, organized in 1799. The land 
on which the church stands, to£:ether with the cemeterv 
ground, was donated by Eber Hyde ; present pastor, Hev. 
Peter Goo. One Methodist church ; present pastor, Rev. 
D. O. Edgerton. A Reformed Dutch church, one and 
a half miles northeast of Jordonville, was organized in 
1831 ; present pastor, Rev. J. M. Compton. 



AROUND THE LAKE. 



Among the diversity of popular drives and points of 
interest to the pleasure-seeker, we desire to call especial 
attention to the drive around the lake, a distance of 
twelve miles. Leaving the village, we pass to the west 
shore, about one mile distant, the road leading near the 
bank, but sufficiently elevated to give a commanding view 
of the entire surface of this, the beautiful Canadarago. 

What a world of beauty, what delightful associations 
of history and romance, what charming scenery and 
bounding health is suggested by the name, made mem- 
orable in Indian tradition, and famous for its spring- 
born waters. Its broad surface, now smooth as a mirror, 
reflecting the distant mountains, now rippling to the 



AEOUND THE LAKE. 185 

touch of the cool breath of the neighboring forests, that 
rolls its tiny white-capped waves along the gravelly 
shores, and tosses the flotilla of row-boats like feathers ; 
its picturesque little island, and all the changing scenery 
that greets us as we pass along its margin. We pass 
through a rich district of highly cultivated farms, with 
numerous cottages embowered in beautiful groves, and 
surrounded by fertile fields of luxuriant vegetation. 
Clear running brooks water the meadows and come 
laughing through green pastures that stretch far up the 
steep sides of forest-capped hills or mountains that border 
the lake on the west. We now enter the quiet little 
village of " Schuyler's Lake," with its rich pastoral sur- 
roundings. Turning to the eastward from this place, we 
pass over a pleasant road leading directly to the base of 
the high range of mountains that skirt the valley on the 
east. We cross the '' Oaks Creek," at a point where 
occurred the adventures with the Indians previously 
noticed, and turning a graceful angle, we soon arrive at 
a point known as " Perkins' Hill." 

Here we catch the most charming view of the lake, 
with its wood-covered island standing boldly out of the 
water, while the distant outlines of the receding hills seem 
to melt into the soft blue horizon beyond. 

The road along this side of the lake is peculiarly 
pleasant, there being sufficient space lying between the 
lake and steep mountain declivities for open fields, be- 
tween which the road passes. The banks, on the east 
side especially, abound in eligible sites for country resi- 
dences, being high, and sloping gradually to the water's 
edge. 

Few persons visit this place without acknowledging 
the beauties of the lake scenery of this regLon of country. 
The ranges of mountains with summits of different heights 



186 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

and shapes, the hills and plains, the waving curves which 
appear on the face of every landscape, the dark hues 
of the forest, the verdure of the fields, the towering 
cliffs, the rugged precipices, the dark glens and silent 
dells, the rills, rivers, and placid lakes, all combine to 
render this region beautiful, sublime, and picturesque, 
and a most charming resort for those who seek the quiet 
pleasures of rural life, and the recuperating influences of 
the mountain re^rions. 



ADJOINING TOWNS. 

SPRINGFIELD. 



This town is situated directly to the east of Eichfield. 
The first settlements in the town were made in 1762, at 
East Springfield, by John Kelley, Hichard Ferguson, and 
James Young, from Ireland. Gustavus Klumph and 
Jacob Tygert came during the war. Mr. Tygert had 
two sons, John and Jacob, who were taken prisoners and 
carried to Canada during the Eevolution. Soon after 
the war, Elisha Dodge, Col. Herrick, and Aaron Bige- 
low, from Connecticut, and Eli Parsons, Eliakim Sheldon, 
and Isaac White, from Massachusetts, settled in the cen- 
tral part of the town. 

The first settlement in the town was destroyed by 
the Indians in 1778, as previously noticed. It has sev- 
eral flourishing villages, and also several mineral springs. 
There are four churches, viz. : 

1st Presbyterian, Rev. T. F. Sanborne, pastor. 

1st Methodist, Rev. L. P. Marvin, pastor. 

1st Baptist, Rev. S. J. Douglass, pastor. 

1st Universalist. 

The northern part of Otsego Lake lies within the 



ADJOINING TOWNS. 



187 



bounds of this town. At the head of this beautiful lake 
is the princely mansion of Mr. George Clarlc, the son of 
an English nobleman, who settled at this place about 
the commencement of the present century. Mr. Clark 
is probably the most extensive landJiolder in the State 
of ]^ew York. 

The oldest tombstone in the cemetery is inscribed 
'' Elisha Dodge. 1794." Among the oldest citizens of the 
town are — 

Mrs. Lucy Burnham, . . aged 95 
Mrs. Barringer, . . . "98 
Mrs. House, ..." 98 

A correspondent of the " Otsego Eepublican " says, 
" There are now living in one school district in the 
town of Springfield, near the shore of Otsego Lake, the 
following ten persons, whose united ages aggregate 764 
years, being an average of 76 years each, viz. : 



William Thayer,^^ 


. aged 80 years. 


Mrs. William Thayer 


u 


75 « 


Andrew Gilchrist, 


u 


87 " 


Linus Thurston, 


a 


78 « 


Mrs. Lyman White, 


U' 


78 " 


Horace Coleman, 


a. 


76 " 


Mrs. Hoke, 


C( 


74 " 


Miss Thurston, 


a 


76 " 


Aaron Peck, 


a 


70 " 


Mrs. John Weir, 


(,i 


70 " 



John I. Casler and wife, of Springfield Centre, expect 
to celebrate their 62d " ivedding-day ^^ on the 5th of July 
next (1874). Being now " only " eighty years of age 
respectively, and at that period of life when they can 

* Wounded at the Battle of " Lundy's Lane," in the last war with 
Great Britain ; " was a soldier under Gen. Winfield Scott. 



188 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

retire from more active pursuits, they confidently look 
forward to many peaceful years of connubial bliss and 
social enjoyment. 

REV. ANDREW OLIVER * 

(From Annals of the American Pulpit.) 

Andrew Oliver was born in the parish of Abbots- 
rule, Eoxburghshire, Scotland, on the 31st day of January, 
1762. His father, George Oliver, of English descent, 
led the humble life of a shepherd. His mother, Helen 
Freeman, who was Mr. Oliver's second wife, was a 
woman of eminent piety. They had four children, of 
whom Andrew was the youngest. He attended for a 
season a classical school in the North of* England, and it 
is said that he was engaged for a time in learning the 
printer's business. He was so young when he became a 
subject of divine grace, that he could not remember the 
date of his conversion. At the age of fourteen he was 
received into the church. When twenty-four years old, 
he married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Ormiston, a 
substantial farmer of Eckford, East Mains, Eoxburgh- 
shire. Her mother's name was Mary Given. Shortly 
after his marriage, in 1786, he came over to this country. 
After residing two years at Saco, Maine, he removed 
to Londonderry, New Hampshire, where he became 
acquainted with the Rev. William Morrison, by whose 
influence he was led to prepare for the gospel ministry. 
He studied with Dr. Morrison, and applied himself to his 
work with so much assiduity and devotion that he became 
almost blind. After his licensure by the Presbytery of 
Londonderry in 1792, he undertook a missionary tour on 
horseback to the State of New York, taking with him, 

* Grandfather of Mr. William Oliver, of this place. 



ADJOINING TOWNS. 189 

on account of his blindness, a young man as guide. 
Though laboring under this great disadvantage, his 
preaching was very acceptable and edifying. 

After his return, in 1793, he was called to take charge 
of the Presbyterian church in Pelham, Massachusetts. 
During his ministry in this place he enjoyed the society 
of the neighboring ministers, and was an intimate friend 
of the Rev. Samuel Taggart of Colerain, and Dr. Parsons 
of Amherst. -^^ * ^ Leaving his family at Pelham, 
he set out in search of a new home, and extended his 
inquiries into the State of 'New York, where several 
3^ears before he had labored for a time as a missionar3\ 
He spent several months in Springfield, Otsego County, 
'New York. His services were so acceptable to the people 
of this place that they invited him to become their pastor. 
He accepted the call, and having made arrangements for 
his settlement, w^ent back after his family. This consisted 
then of his wife and seven children, all of whom except 
the oldest were born at Pelham. When Mr. Oliver came 
to Springfield in 1806, there was no Presbyterian house 
of worship. He preached in the Baptist church on the 
hill at West Springfield, and also for a season half the 
time at Middlefield in a barn. After about nine months 
he purchased a small farm at East Springfield, and built a 
commodious house, with money that was due to him from 
Pelham. His son William, then a boy fourteen years 
old, went after it on horseback, bringing the money home 
in his belt. Feeling the necessity of a house of worship, 
he urged the people to undertake the work of erecting 
one. Wh'en the frame w^as up, and the completion of the 
work was delayed, in order to arouse their zeal in the 
enterprise, he preached an earnest and stirring sermon on 
Haggai i. 4 : '• Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your 
ceiled houses, and this house lie waste ? " He contributed 



190 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

of his own limited means to this undertaking, and en- 
couraged the people until the work yvusjinished. During 
Mr. Oliver's residence in Otsego County, he enjoyed the 
society and friendship of the Rev. Dr. "William Neill, 
then of Albany, and the Rev. John Smith, of Coopers- 
town ; Dr. James Carnahan, of Utica ; Rev. Eli F. 
Cooley, of Cherry Valley ; Rev. Daniel Nash, of the 
Episcopal church, and others, by each of whom he was 
highly esteemed. lie was instrumental with others in 
forming the Otsego County Bible Society, which was 
organized March 7th, 1813. The Rev. Daniel Nash, of 
Exeter, was the first president, and Mr. Oliver the first 
vice-president. In ISIG this society appointed him, to- 
gether with the Rev. E. F. Cooley, of Cherry Yalley, and 
James Fenimore Cooper, of Cooperstown, delegates to co- 
operate with others in forming the *' American Bible 
Society." He died March 2-ith, 1833. 

OTSEGO. 

This town bounds Richfield on the south, and is 
noted as being the home of the renowned James Feni- 
more Cooper, the great American novelist. Coopers- 
town, the county seat, is in this township, and is the 
largest and most beautiful village in Otsego County. 
The first white man that ever trod the soil of this town 
was Cadwallader Colden,* previous to the French War. 
The first deaths in this town w^ere those of two de- 
serting soldiers, w^ho were shot by order of General Clin- 
ton, in 1779, before the settlements were commenced. 
The Hon. John A. Dix, present Governor of the State, 
was once a resident of Cooperstown. Says Mr. Liver- 

* Cadwallader Golden, President of liis Majesty's (George II.) 
Council, and "Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New York, 
and its dependencies in America." {Land Papers, vol. xvi.) 



ADJOINING TOWNS. 191 

more, " He purchased ' Apple Hill ' of the heirs of E. 
Fenimore Cooper, in 1828, but sold it to Levi C. Turner 
at his removal to Albany, on his being appointed Adju- 
tant General," etc. 

EXETER. 

This town lies on the west side of Canadarago Lake ; 
the surface is hilly and broken, consisting mainly of 
elevated uplands. "Among the frst settlers of this 
town were William Angel, Asahel Williams, Hagar 
Curtis, Joshua and Caleb Angel, Seth Tubbs, Bethel 
Martin (the two last in the west part of the town), and 
T. Brooks and M. Cushman on the Rockdunga." Wil- 
liam Lidell emigrated from England and settled near 
Canadarago Lake soon after the Bevolution. His two 
sons, Allen and Jonas Lidell, now occupy farms originally 
purchased by their father, William Lidell. This town- 
ship is noted for its fine quality of butter and cheese. 
It has three villages, viz. West Exeter, Exeter Centre, 
and Schuyler's Lake village."^ The last named has already 
been noticed. Exeter is purely an agricultural town. 



WINFIELD,f HERKIMER COUNTY. 

Mr. Benton says, " This town was settled by the 
whites before 1800. * * * A small part of it lay within 

* Of tlie oldest citizens now living at the village of Schuyler's 
Lake, we may mention Ira Palmer and John Durfy. 

f Named from General Winfield Scott. The first settlement was 
commenced in 1792. Among the early settlers were Jos. Walker, 
Timothy Walker, Captain Nathan Brown, Oliver Harwood, Oliver 
Cor bit, Benjamin Cole, and Deacon Gile, from Massachusetts. Abel 
Brace came in from Connecticut in 1793. Josiah Harwood taught 
the first school, in 1794 ; Charles Brace kept the first inn, in 1794 ; 
John Dillingham the first store, in 1796. 



192 KICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

the limits of the Old England district until the munici- 
pal organization of the counties in this part of the State 
into townships took place. * * * The village of "West 
"VYinfield, whose population is nearly five hundred, is 
located very near the west bounds of Herkimer County. 
It contains an academy incorporated by the Hegents of 
the University. A bank, organized under the laws 
of the State, has recently been established in this 
village." 

The Richfield branch of the Delaware, Lackaw^anna 
and Western Railroad passes through the town of Win- 
field. 

COLUMBIA, HERKIMER COUNTY. 

Says Benton, " This town was settled before the 
Revolution, by several German families from the Mo- 
hawk River." The heads of the families W'ho made 
one of the settlements were Conrad Orendorf, Conrad 
Frank, Conrad Fulmer, Frederick Christman, Timothy 
Frank, Nicholas Lighthal], Joseph Moyer, and Henry 
Frink. The place where these families were seated was 
know^n as " Coonrodstown," before Columbia was organ- 
ized, in 1812, and is so noted to this day. 

A few Germans had also seated themselves at a place 
then and since called Elizabethtown, to commemorate the 
name of one or more German matrons among the settlers. 
Columbia is purely an agricultural tow^n. " Asahel Alfred 
settled in this town in 1791. He was a native of Connec- 
ticut, a farmer, and an honest man, of steady industrious 
habits and good morals. Was a soldier of the Revolution, 
having entered the service of his country in his fifteenth 
year, and served more than three years. He was in the 
battle of Monmouth ; taken prisoner at the Cedars, in 
Canada, after a smart conflict betw^een the Americans 



ADJOINING TOWNS. 193 

and a party of the enemy, consisting of whites and In- 
dians, and, as usual in such cases, both parties took their 
covers of stumps and trees. Alfred was fired at by an 
Indian, but not hit. A second shot was made at him, 
and the ball struck the stump behind which he stood. 
Mr. Alfred discovered the Indian's head exposed while 
loading the third time, took deliberate aim at him, fired, 
and was not again molested from that quarter. 

" The Americans were outnumbered, and made prison- 
ers, and as soon as they surrendered, the Indians stripped 
them of all their clothing except their shirts and panta- 
loons. They took his hat, coat, vest, neckerchief, and 
silver knee and shoe buckles. 

"AYhen on the march to the British post, one of Mr. 
Alfred's fellow-prisoners, being feeble and not able to keep 
up with the rest, fell behind, and Alfred remained with 
him to help him along. While making their way as well 
as they could, an Indian came up, and putting the muzzle 
of his gun close to the sick man's head, blew out his 
brains. Mr. Alfred was not slow to overtake his fellow- 
prisoners. He was at the capture of Burgoyne and the 
British army. He died in June, 1853, aged ninety-three 
years, having always resided on the same farm on which 
he first located, and which was occupied by his son, 
Cyrus, in the old age of his father." 

WARREN. 

The leading events of this town have been given in 
another part of this work, viz. Andrustown, Jordonville, 
etc. 



194 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

EICHFIELD MINEllAL WATEES. 

BY N. GETMAN, M.D. 

The value of all medicinal agencies is estimated 
according to their respective power in arresting the pro- 
gress of the ravages of disease. 

The nse of mineral waters as a specific for diseases, 
dates back many centuries. The Greeks, who were, in 
the knowledge of medicine, far in advance of their pre- 
decessors, regarded medicated waters as a special boon 
from heaven, piously dedicating them to their god 
Hercules, because of their invigorating qualities. In 
Italy as well as in all the Eoman dominions, they were a 
\ery common remedy. And, so great was the favor in 
wdiich these fountains were held, ornamental edifices 
were erected over them, and placed under a tutelary god. 
But beyond the general or special benefit experienced, 
unassisted by the light which modern chemical analysis 
sheds, they knew nothing. Not so with the medical 
practitioner of to-day. So well are the various diseases 
defined, and their specifics understood, that relief may 
be realized in any and all cases not beyond the reach of 
appropriate remedies. Many years since, blood-letting 
and heavy drastic doses of medicine went out of use ; 
and a more humane, successful practice was adopted. 
For touch lightly the handiwork of God, as seen in the 
almost infinitely delicate machinery of the human body, 
is now^ the study of the best medical talent of the land. 
To this work, in this way, mineral waters hold a high 
place. 

The delicate commingling of healing and curative 
properties, the precise amount of each being well under- 



RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 195 

stood, renders them a mild, safe, and efficient remedy. 
And yet it has not been found either wise or safe to use 
them without the advice which physicians well versed 
in their application can give. 

In a practice of seventeen years, I have given much 
time and attention to the nature and application of the 
" mineral " waters of this place, in the treatment of the 
various diseases that afflict mankind. Their efficacy in 
chronic diseases has been most thoroughly and satisfac- 
torily tested. In many cases, my first work has been to 
remedy the mischief of a too hasty and unwise use of the 
waters. For all must concede that even mild remedies, 
taken at improper times, and in immoderate quantities, 
into a system unprepared, may aggravate old diseases, if 
they do not create new ones. These views being the 
result of the observations of the medical faculty generally, 
it follows that '''experience^'' is the only safe guide in the 
application of these waters. 

While the physician can, and does know the proper- 
ties of the " mineral waters," nothing but a careful diag- 
nosis of the special cases to be treated can enable him 
judiciously to administer them in these cases. Of ten 
persons afflicted with dyspepsia, no two may require the 
same treatment, because of the hidden causes being so 
diverse. Kecent cases of disease may and do find speedy 
relief. Others require more time, extending to one, two, 
or even three years, before a complete cure has been 
effected. 

Some of these cases I shall refer to, illustrating the 
varied action and time of these waters as applied to the 
variety of persons and diseases presented for treatment. 
But it will not accord with the brevity of this treatise 
to multiply the recital of these cases. I shall therefore 
content myself with a brief reference to a few of the 



196 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

many persons who Lave sought and found relief at these 
fountains oi health, where the beuign "goddess Hjgeia" 
presides. The Sulphur Spring waters, presenting the 
greatest claim for valuable medical properties, and rank- 
ing equally with any and all others npon this continent, 
and outranking even the celebrated Ilarrowgate Springs 
of England, are especially valuable in the treatment of 
the following diseases, viz. : rheumatism, neuralgia, 
psoriasis, cutaneous diseases, acne, eczen^ia, erysipelas, 
erythema, herpes, porrigo, tinea or scald-head, second- 
ary syphilis, scrofula, constipation, piles. 

RHEUMATISM. 

This painful disease is no respecter of persons. It 
assails alike the young, the middle-aged, and the aged, 
adhering with the greater tenacity to the last named ; 
but whether in a chronic or more recent form, yields 
readily to the judicious application of these waters. 
Induced by causes about as various and numerous as 
the patients affected, a correct understanding of each 
case becomes a necessity in order that the full benefit of 
the waters may be received. The warm bath, in connec- 
tion with the internal use of these waters, has never yet 
failed to alleviate or cure when used in accordance with 
competent advice and reasonable perseverance. This 
point needs to be especially impressed upon the patient. 
The approaches of disease in these chronic cases have 
been so insidious that, in many, a term of years has elapsed 
before their distinct development. The lesson of this 
fact should impress upon the patient's mind the absolute 
necessity of "• tiine " in which nature can, under the 
assisting, healing forces, work off her old and diseased 
parts, and assert herself in a new and healthy form. A 



RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 197 

most marked case of speedy relief was enjoyed by a gen- 
tleman, some three years since, from England. Being 
entirely helpless, he was carried by the sailors, from the 
dock in Liverpool, on board the steamship, which in due 
time landed him in I^ew York, where, by simular agen- 
cies, he was carried from the ship to the coach which 
placed him upon the train that landed him in Richfield. 
The reader will readily understand that rheumatism 
had deprived him of the power of locomotion. In less 
than four weeks from Liverpool, he was walking about 
this village, and taking his baths unassisted, except by 
his cane. This case was undoubtedly an exceptional 
one, on any other hypothesis than that his disease was 
of but recent origin. 

A very severe case of chronic rheumatism was a 

Mrs. M , aged fifty -five years, who was brought here 

in 1867. Her disease was '■' articular ^^'' with more or less 
muscular deformity, and utterly powerless to move or 
help herself Was carried to the baths, of which she was 
able to take only six the first season, and attended with but 
slight improvement. Drank the waters during the fol- 
lowing winter, and returned in the spring of 1868, with 
marked improvement, walking with the aid of crutches. 
Was able to increase the baths to two a week during 
this season, and returned home able to walk' without 
crutches. Came again in the spring of 1869, and at the 
end of this season returned home with greatly improved 
health. In 1873 she spent the season with an invalid 
friend, so thoroughly well as to occupy the fourth floor at 
the Spring House, during her stay here. 

Mrs. F , aged thirty-five years, came here in 1867 

with a most aggravated case of eczema, the whole surface 
of the body diseased, unable to see any one except her 
attendant, receiving her meals in her room, and going to 



298 RICHFIELD KPEINGS AND VICINITY. 

the baths closely veiled. The second season she was 
cured. Yisited these Springs in 1872, entirely free from 
her old complaint. 

THE MAGNESIA SPRING. 

This fountain is located just to the north of the large 
sulphur spring. Has for many years been known to contain 
important and useful medical properties, amounting to 
specifics in the cure of the following special diseases and 
their kindred ailments: 

Dyspepsia, gastralgia, water-brash, chronic gastritis, 
diseases of the liver, chronic diarrhoea, diseases of the 
urinary organs, diabetes, catarrh of the bladder, Bright's 
disease of the kidneys, and the correlative diseases. 

The same general rules to be observed by the patient 
laid down for the other springs applies also to this. The 
freedom with which these mineral waters can be obtained, 
should not tempt the patient to an excessive use of them. 

Case. — Mr. E , aged fifty years, a lawyer, from 

Utica, visited these springs fourteen years ago, and not 
getting the relief anticipated from the sulphur spring, 
had recourse to the magnesia water, with such satis- 
factory results that he enthusiastically urges his dyspeptic 
friends to commence the use of these waters. 

CHRONIC DIARRHCEA. 

Case. — Mr. S , aged fifty-six years, came here in 

reduced flesh, having been afidicted with this disease for 
three years. Commenced with small doses three times a 
day. Gradually improved, w^ith restored strength and 
edacity the first season. Took no baths. 

THE CHALYBEATE WATER. 

This spring is known to possess remarkable tonic 
properties, found to be useful in a great variety of female 



RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 299 

diseases and general debility. They have proved useful 
in the treatment of amenorrhoea, dismenorrhoea, chlorosis, 
leucorrhoea, ulceration of the uterus, and all nervous dis- 
eases. The restorative power of the " mineral waters " 
of Eichfield have been abundantly demonstrated under 
my personal observation. 



EICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 

BY W. B. GRAIN, M.D. 

Doctor W. T. Bailey : 

Dear Sir: — I thank you for your unmerited con- 
sideration in requesting of me an article on the use of the 
<• mineral waters " of Richfield. Their increasing import- 
ance magnifies the compliment, inasmuch as for that rea- 
son even what I shall write will be the more likely to be 
read, like the other portions of your undoubtedly interest- 
ing work. The earnest pursuit of my profession for some 
years in this vicinity, has not only impelled me to some 
acquaintance with the medicinal properties of the waters, 
but has also inspired me with something like a local 
patriotism, and a high opinion of its mere Ucality for 
healthful and sanitary purposes. In considering the 
merits of various " watering-places," we are not to con- 
fine ourselves to the waters alone. If this were so, the 
waters of Baden Baden or Saratoga might just as well 
be used at home. To represent the hygienic claims of 
this or that locality, by a bottle of their waters, would 
be like the man who, having a farm to sell, carried about 
in his pocket a little box of the soil as a specimen. To 
some extent it may be a caprice of mine— but repeated 
observation has convinced me that Richfield and vicinity 



200 KICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

have some other sanitary claims by no means to be disre- 
garded. I see them through their nmssually clear and 
bracing atmosphere. I see them in their deep, rich, and 
thoroughly wholesome soil — in the longevity bespoken 
by their living, and written on the tombstones of their 
dead. The old buried * centenarian of the " Boston Tea- 
party " furnishes an example. 

It is also of some consequence in connection w^ith 
health, that a watering-place should be ample in its nat- 
nral incentives and provisions for out-door exercises, em- 
ployments, and pleasures ; and what locality can be more 
so than that of Eichiield ? The attractiveness of its 
drives, rides, and rambles — its fishing, boating, and pleas- 
ure parties, and the beauty and magnificence of its sur- 
rounding scenery, are now almost proverbial. The body 
is invigorated together with the soul. The blood tingles as 
the lungs imbibe the cool dry air, and the eyes feast upon 
the splendid prospects of nature. To this we may add that 
the place, once so difficult of access, is now easy by rail, 
with ample comforts on arrival. A few years since the 
charge of "too full" was justly made; and when the 
guest complained of bis coffee^ he perhaps had ''^ grounds P 
But not so now. All that fine hotels or cosey lodgings 
can do for the " creature comforts " of the invalid are full 
and complete. 

It is a great mistake to suppose that mineral waters, 
and what are now known as " watering-places," are at 
all modern in their celebrity. They were well known to 
the Greeks and Bomans, and have been more or less so 
through all the ages since. Galen, Hippocrates, and many 
others of their time were well acquainted with their hy- 
gienic value, and applied them systematically to the cure 
of diseases. The Bomans, "prompted by gratitude for 
* G. R. T. Hewes, aged 109^ years. 



RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 201 

the benefits which they derived from them, decorated 
their sites with edifices." In 1670 the mineral waters 
of France were first analyzed by a commission of the 
Academy of Sciences, and from that time to the present 
the use of such remedies has been steadily increasing, as 
well as the public confidence in their efiicacy. The best 
known mineral waters are now prescribed by the medical 
faculty in certain cases with as much confidence as any 
preparation of the apothecary. Mineral waters are gen- 
erally divided into four varieties, viz. acidulous, chaly- 
beate, saline, and sulphurous; to the latter of which 
mostly belong those of Kichfield. This was the variety 
patronized largely by the luxurious Eoraans, however 
disagreeable their odors may prove to modern nostrils. 
With all that chemical learning has done in the 
analysis of mineral waters (and there is yet much undone), 
their real stamp of value is involved, simply, in what 
experience has decide d as to their efficacy. If it be true 
that most of the mineral waters longest used and best 
known have never been thoroughly analyzed, the same is 
doubly true of the waters of Richfield ; but it is equally 
true that within the comparatively brief time that has 
elapsed since they became at all extensively known, 
their curative powers have proven very remarkable. With 
all that has been written in Europe and America on the 
subject of mineral waters, it is perhaps not very surpris- 
ing that nothing has yet appeared doing any justice to 
the waters of Kichfield. The celebrity they have earned 
in spite of this fact, is the best proof of their real worth. 
But the time is certainly come when something should 
be written of which the little I shall say is a mere pre- 
lude. There should be a work of some kind, embodying 
a guide to the use of these waters, and enabling those 
who employ them to do it with intelligence. It is not 



202 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

my design to prescribe rules for their use in obscure and 
intricate cases — as any one at all familiar with the vari- 
ous forms of disease would at once recoo:nize its im- 
practicability ; but general rules may with propriety be 
stated. I am indebted to Drs. Bell, Moorman, Arm- 
strong, and others, for many valuable ideas, and have 
freely consulted their works in the preparation of this 
letter. 

As a rule, no preparatory treatment is required before 
commencing the use of the waters. Plethoric subjects 
with a naturally sluggish iiv^er, who suffer from undue 
determination of blood to the brain, may with advantage 
anticipate their use by a mild purgative ; but the neces- 
sity for powerful cathartics seldom exists. Cold water 
may be most safely indulged in during the early part 
of the day, when the body is in its " greatest vigor." 
Toward evening it is less able to resist strong impressions. 
Hence a full glass of the water one hour before break- 
fast, and a second glass thirty minutes later, may be taken 
with impunity by the majority of persons, and perhaps 
with more benefit than at any other hour of the day. 
A third glass may be taken one hour before dining, and a 
fourth before tea. Large draughts are hurtful, and it is 
unnecessary to gorge the stomach with mineral waters 
in order to obtain their remedial effects. It must be 
admitted that there are those who take enormously large 
quantities for many consecutive days without apparent 
inconvenience or injury, and come to the " Springs " with 
the conviction that the sooner they can " saturate " their 
systems, the more rapidly will their ailments disappear. 
!N"ot only is this theory untenable, but flooding the 
stomach with large and continued potations of water 
may not only produce serious derangement of the 
digestive organs, but engender such repugnance to the 



RTCHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 203 

waters as to thwart the sole object in coining to the 
Springs. Dr. Bell remarks that " water drunk to excess 
distends the stomach, dilutes to extreme tenuity the 
gastric juice, diminishes the vital energy of the gastric 
mucous membrane. Nausea, flatulence, oj^pression at the 
pit of the stomach, colics, diarrhoea, aqueous plethora of 
the vascular system, weakness of the nervous centres, 
pallor, and aversion to locomotion, may all follow in the 
train of excessive potations of water." Mineral waters 
are confessedly powerful stimulants to the glandular 
system, and their alterative eifect can in no way be so 
surely obtained as by taking moderate quantities at suit- 
able hours. Inordinate draughts simply excite the kid- 
neys and bowels to undue action, and are consequently 
not retained in the system sufficiently long to produce 
their alterative influence. Like all remedies of equal 
potency, they should be taken guardedly at first, and 
the quantity increased as tolerance is xnanifest and the 
nature of the malady seems to demand. Too much cau- 
tion cannot be observed by those who suflfer from debility 
of the digestive organs—especially females whose nervous 
systems have been prostrated by chronic diseases, and 
who so constantly suffer from gastralgia and the kindred 
disorders of the digestion apparatus. Such patients, how- 
ever, may derive lasting benefit from the waters taken 
with moderation. The more serious the derangements 
of the digestive organs the greater should be the cau- 
tion in using them. The magnesia water is well adapt- 
ed to cases of enfeebled digestion as experience has 
shown; but even it should be allowed to stand in an 
open vessel sufficiently long for the gas to escape before 
it is taken. Those who have a lymphatic constitution, 
who are feeble and infirm, and who suff'er from a morbid 
sensibility of the mucous surfaces, may with propriety 



204 ETCHFIELD SPEmOS AND TICmiTT. 

take the waters before rising, and they may with benefit 
anticipate their use by some mild and nourishing drink 
— a part of a cup of broma answering a very good pur- 
pose. 

Elderly persons suffering from chronic urinary dis- 
ease should never attempt the use of the waters until 
they have sought advice. Giddiness and the unpleasant 
feeling of constriction about the forehead sometimes ex- 
perienced after taking the waters, may usually be pre- 
vented by drinking them two hours after instead of before 
meals. Mineral waters or cold drinks of any kind should 
never be indulged in immediately before or immediately 
after taking food. The stomach is then occupied with 
the digestive process, and any interruption is likely to 
be followed b}^ not only temporary inconvenience, but 
permanent stomachic derangement. Upon the nature 
and duration of the disease, and tlie susceptibilities of the 
system to remedial agents, will depend the length of 
time it will be necessary to use the waters before the 
desired eflect is produced. For many constitutions a 
three we^'ks' course is sufficient, while others require to 
take the waters during a period of six weeks or more 
before experiencing a decided impression. Dr. Moorman, 
in his most valuable treatise on mineral waters, in speak- 
ing of the White Sulphur of Virginia, says : " In some 
cases, where the system is previously well prepared, and 
the subsequent management judicious, the AVhite Sul- 
phur will produce its alterative operations in about two 
weeks: such cases, however, are rare, and it will gen- 
erally be found that from three to six weeks or even 
longer must elapse under its use before those 'profound 
changes are wrought which precede and insure a return to 
health.'' These remarks, so far as they relate to time, are 
applicable to all our mineral waters that remove disease 



RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 205 

by virtue of their alterative action. It is not unusual 
to bear persons remark that they experienced no benefit 
from the waters while at the Springs^ but felt themselve* 
improved after returning to their homes. The same good 
results would doubtless have been manifest had they 
remained at the resort sufficiently long to observe the 
" sanative " effect. Similar experience attends the use 
of all alterative remedies ; and if we based our ideas of 
the value of mineral waters upon their sensible effects 
alone, such as increased intestinal and renal action, we 
should often be discouraged in the very onset. 

Perhaps no marked change will be noticed in the 
action of any organ while using the waters, yet the 
quiet work of restoring a healthy tone to the glandular 
system may commence when the first glass is taken : 
should the powerful diuretic and cathartic action so 
usually looked for not follow the use of the waters, the 
patient need not be disheartened. A change in the 
character of the secretions and excretions is oftentimes 
of vastly more importance than a mere increase or dimi- 
nution of either, and the work of restoring the economy 
to its normal integrity will take place under the use of 
the waters, though no increased action of the kidneys 
or bowels is observed. 

In HEPATIC DERANGEMENTS the Richficld watcrs act 
with decided force; hence abdominal plethora, ascites, 
defective digestion, depression of spirits, etc., etc., re- 
sulting from a torpid condition of the liver, are usually 
promptly relieved. Constipation resulting from deficient 
biliary secretion or from atony of the muscular coat of 
the intestines is usually much benefited. In neuralgia, 
nervous debility, hysteria, and chorea, the invigorating 
influence of these waters, aided by the bracing air of the 
neighborhood, is at once observable. Nervous pains 



206 EICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

recurring in paroxysms and affecting different parts of the 
body, so commonly the result of a rheumatic or gouty 
diathesis, quickly disappear under the use of these waters. 

In chronic inflammation of the kidneys, bladder, and 
urethra, when not dependent upon serious structural dis- 
ease, a course of the baths combined with drinking the 
waters has in very many cases proven most beneficial. 
By chemically altering the quality of the blood the urine 
is rendered less irritating to the urinary passages, and 
hence the waters in this way prove serviceable in this 
class of diseases, besides acting powerfully as a diuretic. 

In chronic rheumatic and gouty afl'ections, the Kich- 
field waters have a well-merited reputation. Dr. Fuller, 
in his treatise on Rheumatism, says of the use of mineral 
waters in this disease, " that when everything else fails, 
they not unfrequently afford extraordinary and perma- 
nent relief. Whatever the modus operandi of the waters, 
their free use both internally and externally exercises a 
beneficial influence which is in vain sought from medi- 
cine and bathing in other places. The effect produced is 
at once sedative and tonic. The pain-worn sufferer, irri- 
table and anxious, repairs to the springs, unable to sleep 
and troubled with dyspepsia, connected with a sluggish 
condition of the skin, liver, kidneys, and bowels : after 
ten days' or a fortnight's trial of their virtues, he begins to 
find himself less irritable, less anxious, and less w^akeful ; 
he sleeps more soundly, and feels more refreshed by his 
sleep ; his digestion improves — the whole system is in- 
vigorated." Nor is this picture overdrawn. Sulphurous 
waters, when systematically and intelligently used, sel- 
dom fail to relax the rigidity of the muscular system, to 
reduce the enlargements and restore motion to diseased 
joints, and, by establishing a healthy action of all the 
emunctories, eradicate the materies morbi from the cir- 



RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 207 

dilating fluids, whicii beget a rheumatic or gouty dia- 
thesis. Decided amelioration may be looked for even in 
confirmed gout. I have seen unsightl}^ nodes, so often 
met with in this disease, materially lessened under a pro- 
tracted use of these waters. They are not well adapted 
to the acute form of this disease. 

In the treatment of dropsy we have in the Richfield 
waters a powerful adjuvant, amounting in many cases to 
almost a specific — acting w^ith decided force upon the 
bowels, kidneys, and skin : when taken largely and with a 
view to promote an increased activity of these organs, 
many stubborn cases of ascites and general anasarca have 
yielded under their use. 

Many of the skin affections so obstinate under the 
ordinary plans of treatment, are much benefited, if not 
entirely relieved, by a full course of the baths and waters. 
In chronic eczema, lepra, psoriasis, and acne, great relief 
may be expected. Dr. Armstrong remarks that " almost 
all cutaneous affections will yield more rapidly to the con- 
tinued internal use of sulphurated hydrogen gas than 
to any of the means now commonly employed." Dr. 
Horace Manley, of this village, the first physician who 
systematically prescribed these waters, and who has 
observed their effect for about fifty years, speaks enthu- 
siastically of their virtues in strumous diseases. Children 
suffering from indolent glandular tumors about the 
neck, from tumid abdomens the result of scrofulous 
disease of the mesenteric glands, thrive wonderfully 
under the use of these waters. Their salutary operation 
has also been noticed in chronic catarrh and in some of 
the chronic hronchial affections. The theory is often 
advanced that sulphurous w^aters and the atmosphere in 
the vicinity of sulphur springs are antagonistic to a 
healthy condition of lung tissue. This really has no 



208 ETCHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

foundation in fact. Considering the severity of our cli- 
mate during tlie winter and spring months, it must be 
admitted that pulmonary diseases are comparatively rare 
in this immediate vicinity and surrounding country. Dr. 
Manley, whose opinion is supported by extended observa- 
tion, remarks that " deaths from consumption are much 
less frequent in this locality now than they were forty 
years ago," and that he cannot recall a case of true tubercu- 
lar disease that developed itself in any subject born and 
reared within the corporate limits of the village ! I don't 
wish to be understood as recommending Richfield Spa as 
a particularly favorable resort for persons suffering from 
consumption, but I do assert that consumptive patients 
are as exempt while here from the exciting causes 
of the disease, and from the influences which tend 
to aggravate it when existing, as at any point of equal 
elevation. It too frequently happens that patients/a^^ 
advanced in consumption frequent resorts of this kind 
either by the advice of physicians or friends. Their 
digestive powers being enfeebled by tubercular deposit, 
perhaps in the stomach and bowels, their vitality being 
lowered by exhausting discharges, discouraged in mind 
and disgusted with medicine, they select some watering- 
place as a last resort, and without competent advice they 
deluge their stomachs with mineral waters, and then 
further seek to refresh themselves by a warm or hot 
bath. A few who pursue this course may escape any 
serious aggravation of their systems, but the majority 
will add fuel to the fire that is slowly consuming them. 
I am confident much of the odium cast upon resorts like 
this arises from the unfortunate experiments of consump- 
tive patients. Those who have incurred a predisposi- 
tion to tubercular development by a too protracted resi- 
dence in malarious districts, whose vitality has been 



RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 209 

lessened by confinement, whose glandular system has 
become torpid, may derive untold benefit from a sum- 
mer's sojourn at Eichfield. Dr. Armstrong, in speaking 
of the value of " Harrowgate " and " Dinsdale " waters 
(the virtues of which he admits depend in a great 
measure upon the sulphurated hydrogen gas which they 
contain), says : " A remedy so highly efiicacious in 
chronic inflammation in general, might seem at first sight 
well fitted for phthisis and similar insidious affections ; 
and though my experience is very incomplete with 
respect to its powers in confirmed consumption, yet it 
has seemed to me exceedingly useful in several instances 
where phthisis was distinctly threatened. But this has 
been more especially observable where the pectoral symp- 
toms were complicated with hepatic disorder, as frequently 
occurs ; and indeed in the commencement of most fevers 
of the hectic type the sulphurous waters have afforded 
more relief than anything else. In a few solitary cases 
which bore the characters of genuine and confirmed 
phthisis, and in which pus was expectorated, a marked 
change for the better took place from the drinking of 
the Dinsdale waters ; and I recently saw two remarkable 
examples, which appeared to be cured by this mineral 
spring, though in both the disease was far advanced 
when it was first tried." In paralysis the waters are 
taken with various results ; when not dependent upon 
serious organic lesions, much benefit usually follows their 
use. Persons suffering from venereal poison and its 
sequelm, iritis, rheumatism, and troublesome cutaneous 
afifections, usually find in these waters a complete anti- 
dote. Several patients have taken them with success 
after a protracted but fruitless sojourn at the Hot Springs 
of " Arkansas." In intermittent fever their good effects 
are soon appreciable. Those cases resulting from a long 



210 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

residence in unhealthy sections, that have worn out the 
ordinary remedies, convalesce rapidly after coming to 
this climate. In chronic ophthalmia, occurring in scrofu- 
lous subjects, much benefit may be anticipated. 

In chronic enlargement of the spleen much relief is 
experienced after a full course of the baths and waters. 

Latterly, Richfield has become quite a favorite ren- 
dezvous for persons suffering from ""hay astkmaP 
Whether the disease depends upon some peculiar exhala- 
tion, or, as Dr. Blackley asserts, upon the existence of 
pollen grains of various grasses intimately mixed with 
common dust, I will not pretend to argue ; but experi- 
ence abundantly establishes the fact that persons accus- 
tomed to annual visitations of this disease in other local- 
ities, are here wholly exempt. Among those who enjoy 
such exemption may be mentioned Com. W. IS". Inmann, 
U. S. I^. ; Rev. E. M. Fecke, rector of St. John's Church 
in this village; Mrs. Colonel Willoughby, of Saratoga. 
Many others might be mentioned who hold Richfield in 
kind remembrance on account of the complete immunity 
it has afforded them from this most perplexing disease. 

The value of these waters as an " aph7'odisiaG'^'' has 
long been recognized, and they are now frequently pre- 
scribed in impotency with abundant success. 

It will be observed that to chronic diseases the Rich- 
field waters are more particularly adapted. They are 
inadmissible in acute inflammatory troubles, on account of 
their decided stimulating properties. Patients suffering 
from undue determination of blood to any of the import- 
ant organs should take the waters with the utmost caution. 
Serious consequences may follow their use in organic 
disease of the heart and blood-vessels ; also in pulmo- 
nary consumption when in its advanced stag©-. They are 
likewise contraindicated in gastro-intestinal inflammation : 



RICHFIELD MINEEAL WATERS. 211 

in prostatic enlargement the waters do no good, and may, 
by flooding the bladder, do permanent injury. Should 
the bowels become constipated, the urine scanty, the 
tongue furred, the pulse rapid, under the use of the 
waters, it is better to discontinue them for a short time, 
and attempt to relieve the system by some mild aperient. 
With many persons the use of the waters gives rise to 
constipation in the commencement : this may usually be 
overcome by judiciously and gradually increasing the 
quantity ; if not, its action may be aided by a glass of 
Congress water or Rochelle powder in the morning, or 
some mild pill after dining. It may generally be con- 
sidered a favorable indication when patients take the 
waters with pleasure. 

The warm sulphur baths are usually employed in aid 
of the waters taken internally ; and besides accomplish- 
ing all that an ordinary warm bath does, they exert a 
particulary tonic influence. The temperature of the 
bath is ' important, and should be considered by all, 
especially invalids. A cool bath ranges from 60° to 75° ; 
temperate bath, from 75° to 85° ; a tepid bath, from 85° 
to 90° ; warm bath, from 92° to 98° ; a hot bath, from 98° 
to 112° Fahrenheit. The warm sulphur baths are mostly 
in vogue here, though bran and medicated baths are often 
prescribed. No more grateful and appropriate remedy 
can be prescribed for the fatigue incident to a long jour- 
ney, when the skin is harsh and dry, the pulse irritable, 
the secretions scanty, than a warm bath. By allaying 
the irritability of the nervous system, refreshing sleep 
is almost always insured. The catalogue of diseases to 
which the baths are apphcable is quite large, but I deem 
it suflicient to mention a few only, and those most fre- 
quently treated. It may be said that the bath is useful 
in most cases in which the water is admissible : lience 



212 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

in chronic rheumatism and gout, in chronic affections 
of the liver and spleen. By relieving the congestion 
of the gastro-enteric mucous membrane, they prove bene- 
ficial in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery ; in the same 
manner long-standing nephritic affections and diseases 
of the bladder are relieved. In many of the functional 
diseases of the womb, sucli as painful and deficient men- 
struation, chronic engorgement of the uterus, and the 
various difficulties attending the final suppression. 
Abdominal neuralgia, gastralgia, and nephritic colic are 
also successfully treated by the warm bath. I have 
watched with the greatest satisfaction the effects of the 
baths and water in a vast number of cases of sciatica. 
I cannot recall one that was not benefited, but very many 
that were entirely cured. Xo one who has observed the 
effect of mineral waters when used for bathing purposes, 
will doubt but that at a certain temperature they are 
taken up by the absorbents into the general circulation, 
and in this way exercise to some extent a remedial influ- 
ence. Not only are the absorbing but the exhaling func- 
tions of the skin increased by the warm bath, and hence 
their special celebrity in most diseases of this organ. 
Acting as a detergent, the skin is thoroughly cleaned 
of its impurities, which might otherwise be reabsorbed, 
its texture is softened, and its natural functions full}^ 
restored. In diseases of this class the bran and medi- 
cated baths are often used with benefit. 

The "hot bath " is a decidedly active agent, and should 
never be indulged in except when particularly advised. 
It is, in fact, 2i powerful stimulant, and instead of tranquil- 
izing the circulation, etc., like the warm bath, it excites 
the heart to undue action : under its influence the skin 
becomes red, the pulse rapid, the respirations hurried, 
and the mind obtuse. After a time, profuse perspiration 



" RICHFIELD MINERAL WATERS. 213 

sets in, which is usually followed by decided languor and 
debility. Before breakfast is probably the most suitable 
time for bathing ; but guests usually tind it more conve- 
nient to bathe between the hours of 10 A, m. and 1 p. m. 
A hot or warm bath should never be indulged in while 
the stomach is occupied with the process of digestion ; 
and a short time should always elapse after the bath, be- 
fore taking food, in order that the mucous lining of the 
stomach may recover from the excitement incident to 
the bath. No good objection can be urged to the use 
of the bath immediately before retiring at night, espe- 
cially when patients seek, in addition to the other good 
eifects, the boon of refreshing sleep. 

The duration of the bath will depend much upon the 
susceptibilities of the patient and the nature of the dis- 
ease. As a rule it should not exceed fifteen or twenty 
minutes ; but in some obstinate troubles, the immersion 
may be continued for an hour or more (in warm bath) 
with entire safety, and perhaps with better prospect of 
relief. 

Should symptoms of vertigo and confusion of thought 
supervene upon the use of the baths, they may usually 
be relieved by the application of a towel saturated in 
cold water to the forehead. It is perhaps well for the 
inexperienced to use this as a preventive during the 
bath. 

After coming from the bath, every patient should re- 
tire, and remain comfortably covered in bed for an hour 
at least, in order that the equilibrium of the circulation 
may be restored before the body is again exposed to 
atmospheric changes. 

The matter of dress should be considered by all who 
desire to reap the full benefits of the baths and waters, and 
who expect to render comfortable their stay at Eichfield. 



21-4 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

The average temperature during the months of July and 
August does not vary much from eighty-five degrees 
during the day ; but after sunset the thermometer often 
falls rapidly to sixty, and continues to indicate this 
low temperature during the entire night. While this is 
eminently conducive to sleep, persons not accustomed to 
such sudden transitions are ver^^ likely to suffer serious 
inconvenience from them. A suit that is adapted to the 
spring months in our northern climates should always be 
at hand ; besides, a firm overcoat or shawl will often be 
found a most comfortable companion. Delicate persons, 
who are particularly susceptible to colds, who suffer from 
neuralgia or rheumatisim, should always wear woven silk 
or soft flannel wraps. 

Eegimen. — The less the stomach is harassed by indi- 
gestible and unwholesome food, the more readily will 
the waters be assimilated. It would be a very difficult 
matter to suggest the particular kind or quantity of food 
that should be taken by the different persons who come 
here from year to year, and a still more difficult matter to 
insist upon 3'our suggestions being carried out. Inasmuch 
as the waters tend to stimulate the appetite, it is well for 
all to be guarded as to the quantity as w^ell as the quality 
of food they take, selecting, from the variety presented 
them, that which is light and nourishing, and best adapted 
to their powers of digestion and assimilation. As a rule, 
the same good judgment that protects them from indis- 
cretions in diet while using the more familiar remedies, 
will serve them during the use of mineral waters. 

The old and infirm to whom wine has become a ne- 
cessary of life, are not required to abstain from it while 
taking the waters. Those who are sufficiently strong to 
forego its use, especially rheumatic and gouty subjects, 



THE LAKE HOUSE. 215 

who can so often trace their sufferings to too free indul- 
gence, would do well to abandon all stimulants. 
Yerj truly yours, 

Wm. Baker Ceain, M.D. 
Richfield Spa, N. Y., March 18, 1874. 



THE LAKE HOUSE. 



W. H. LEWIS, PROPEIETOR. 



This well-known and popular resort is located on 
the northeastern shore of Canadarago Lake, about one 
mile from the centre of the village. This house was 
erected in 1843, and has been devoted exclusively to the 
entertainment of the guests of the Springs,* possessing 
every facility for fishing, hunting, and sailing on the lake, 
where a fleet of row and sail boats is always in readi- 
ness. A gravel-walk, beautifully shaded by large and 
gracefull}^ sweeping willows, leads from the Lake House 
to the shore of the lake, where seats are provided, that 
invite us to while away the sultry hours, and inhale the 
freshening breezes that come wafting from the bosom of 
the rippling waters that glitter and dance in the rays of 
the midday sun. In the ravine to the left of the walk as 
we approach the lake, are the decaying trunks of several 
antiquated apple-trees, that were in their prime when 
first seen by the earliest settlers. They have since been 
known as the " Indian apple-trees." In the midst of the 
forest at the head of the lake is a large pool of ''sulphur 
water," that has no doubt exhaled its sulphurous fumes 
to the forest air for unknown centuries. 

* Lewis* sumptuous game dinners are no doubt remembered 
with pleasure by many who have partaken of them. 



216 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



WALNUT-GKOYE HOUSE. 

WM. VAN CUREN, PROPRIETOR. 

This house is situated two miles from the village of 
Kichfield Springs, ou the eastern shore of the lake, and 
directl}^ opposite the island. The house is open through 
the boarding season for the entertainment of guests and 
pleasure-seekers, and is connected with the Springs by a 
regular line of omnibuses. The shore of the lake at this 
point is pleasantly shaded by large walnut-trees, and a 
fleet of row-boats kept for the pleasure of visitors. It is 
a very inviting resort. 



SUMMER 

As health is more to be prized than silver and gold, 
and the heated term approaches, we turn away from the 
thronged streets of the large commercial towns and rest- 
less cities, to breathe the invigorating air of the moun- 
tains and valleys of the beautiful country. With what 
delightful emotions of freedom and pleasure do w^e greet 
the open and luxuriant fields, fragrant with wild flowers 
and sweet-scented clover, blooming fruit-trees, and varie- 
gated forests, filled with the music of birds that " sing 
among the branches," peacefully gliding rivers, rapidly 
flowing streams, leaping cascades, towering precipices, 
and cool umbrageous retreats, that invite us to their 
sylvan bowers ! Wild and romantic lakes, with isolated 
islands, lovely cottages, and lordly mansions, are scattered 
throughout Central New York, and await the weary 
guests fleeing from the heated walls and impure streets 



SUMMER. 



217 



of city life, to spend the summer days in cool retreats 
of luxury and repose. All the rhapsodies of the poets 
have never exaggerated the wonder and daily fascination 
of that miracle which annually transforms the bleak 
wintry landscape into the exuberance and beauty of 
summer. 

Can any place be found more inviting to the stranger 
than the neat little village of Eichfield Springs, with its 
almost boundless resources of health and pleasure, and 
varied attractions of summer luxuriance, with mountain 
and lake scenery that afford every facility for pleasure 
and healthful recreation ? 

And now the delightful time has come, with " th^ 
leafy month of Juiie^^ and 

" Summer is in the air, odors are everywhere ; 
Idle birds are singing loud and clear ; 
Brooks are bubbling over, heads of crimson clover 
On the edges of the field appear. 

" All the meadow blazes with buttercups and daisies, 
And the very hedges are tangles of perfume ; 
Butterflies go brushing, all their plumage crushing. 
In among this wilderness of bloom. 

" The thorn-flower bursts its sheath, the bramble hangs a wreath, 
And blue-eyed grasses beckon lo the sun ; 
While gypsy pimpernel waits, eager to foretell 
When rainy clouds are gathering one by one. 

** The very world is blushing, is carolling and gushing 
Its heart out in melody of song ; 
While simple weeds seem saying, in grateful transport praying. 
Unto Him our praises all belong." 



218 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



THE GEE AT KAIN-STOKM. 

The Fourth of July, 1872, will long be remembered 
by the inhabitants of this place and surrounding country. 
The day opened bright and promising. By ten o'clock 
in the morning our streets were filled with eager e3^es 
and anxious ears, watching the approach of a circus com- 
pany entering the village from the west. The tent for 
this exhibition was located on the lowlands in the 
southern part of the village, near the railroad depot. 

Soon the enlivening strains of the brass band of the 
circus company fell upon the ears of the merry thryng 
of young, middle-aged, and eager pilgrims who wended 
their way toward this, the great centre of attraction. 
Children danced gayly beside their more sedate ancestors, 
and everything ''''went merry as a marriage-hellP Soon 
the immense tent was filled by a restless waiting crowd 
of over three thousand people, among which the guests 
of our numerous hotels were well represented. 

The performance had already commenced, and imme 
diately the sky was dark and portentous. Big drops of a 
frowning rain-cloud fell heavily on the rusty canvas 
over our unprotected heads. The writer found himself 
closely sandwiched between two sedate, adipose matrons, 
with whom he shared the temporary protection of a 
capacious cotton fabric. 

" Lord of the winds ! I feel tliee nigh 
I know thy breath in the burning sky ! 
And I wait, with a thrill in every vein. 
For the coming of the hurried rain ! 
It has come ! do ye not behold 
The aqueous vapors, wet and cold, 
A whirling ocean that fills the wall 
Of the crystal heaven, and buries all? 
And I, cut oflT from the world, remain 
Alone icith the terrible Imrricane'' 



219 

The rain now fell in torrents, and came pouring 
through the canvas in every direction, irrespective of 
age, sex, or social position ; and there was no exemp- 
tion from the common baptism. Every expedient was 
resorted to by the inelancholy audience for protection 
against the intrusions of this unwelcome humidity, but 
all was vain. We were now fully prepared to deeply 
sympathize with our antediluvian brethren, and still the 
rain continued as of old. 

The ground w^as soon transformed into a miniature 
lake, and the low slippers and white stockings of an hour 
before, were concealed far beneath this turbulent com- 
pound of earth and w^ater. Young men and maidens 
stood and gazed upon each other in sympathetic silence^ 
earnestly contemplating the mystery of this relentless 
dispensation of Providence. And still it rained. With 
emotions of reluctance, many took refuge in waiting 
vehicles. Slowly and demurely they left this scene of 
disappointed hopes, and passed silently away to their 
respective destinations. Such a flood never was known 
before in Eichiield. It impaired the roads and streets in 
every direction to such an extent that it required several 
months to repair them. As remarked by a gentleman 
at the time, " This is indeed a watering-place ! " 



PICKING HOPS." 



Otsego County is remarkable as being the great hop- 
producing county of the State; and almost every farm 
has several acres of the vine, that yield under ordinary 
circumstances an average of one thousand pounds to 
the acre. Hop-picking time is looked forward to with a 
good deal of interest, giving employment to hundreds of 



220 KICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

young ladies, who seem to delight in this annual festivity, 
as well as profitable occupation. Young men also being 
employed, connubial alliances are not unfrequently the 
result of these gatherings. 

'• PICKING HOPS." 

BY ETHEL LYNN (1863). 

On the hills of old Otsego, 

By her brightly gleaming lake. 
Where the sound of horn and hunter 

Sylvan echoes love to wake. 
Where the wreaths of twining verdure 

Clamber to the saplings' tops, 
I sat beside sweet Minnie Wilder, 

In the great field, picking hops. 

Then the clusters green and golden 

Binding in her sunny hair. 
Half afraid, yet very earnest. 

Looking in her face so fair. 
Speaking low, while Squire Von Lager 

Talked of past and coming crops. 
Said I, " Minnie, should a soldier 

Stay at home here picking hops? 

** While the country, torn asunder. 

Calls for men like me to fight. 
And the voice of patriots pleading 

Ask for hands to guard the right ; 
While from hearts of heroes slaughtered 

Still the life-blood slowly drops. 
Can I — shall I stay beside you, 

Minnie, darling, picking hops ? " 

Very pale the cheek was growing. 

And the hand I held was cold ; 
But the eye was bright and glowing. 

While my troubled thought was told ; 
Yet her voice was clear and steady. 

Without sighs, or tears, or stops, 
When she answered, speaking quickly, 
" 'Tis women's work, this picking hops. 



ELK HORNS. 221 

** Men should be where duty calls them, 
Wompn stay at home and pray 
For the gallant absent soldier, 

Proud to know he would not stay." 
" Bravely spoken, darling Minnie ! " 
Then I kissed her golden locks, 
Breathed anew a soldier's promise, 
As we sat there picking hops. 

" Now I go away to-morrow, 

And I'll dare to do or die. 
Win a leader's straps and sword, love, 

Or 'mid fallen heroes lie. 
Then when all of earth is fading. 

And the fluttering life-pulse stops, 
Still, 'mid thoughts of home and heaven, 

I'll remember picking hops." 



ELK HORNS. 



In the month of August, 1868, Mi\ Ira Whiter, of the 
town of Warren, discovered two pairs of elk horns lying 
beneath the water near the shore of the lower lake, 
together with a quantity of bones, indicating the skele- 
tons of two large elks. They had doubtless broken 
through the ice simultaneously while engaged in a fierce 
encounter. The partial decomposition of the antlers 
and bones, was sufficient proof that at least a century 
had passed since they were deposited there. A notice 
of these fossils appeared in one of the Albany journals, 
at the time of their discovery. 



THE COMMON SCHOOL. (District No. 9.) 
This district has a large and substantial building, 
that was erected in 1860, at a cost of three thousand 
dollars. There are about three hundred names in the 



222 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

district, that draw piibUc money. This school has an 
average attendance of one hundred and fifty scholars, and 
has three terms annually of thirteen weeks each. There 
are two departments, primary and advanced. In the 
higher department, besides the common branches, the 
science of astronomy, philosophy, algebra, geometry, 
and vocal music, are taught. I 

Present teachers : Mr. E. D. Harrington, Miss Emma 
A. Getman. 



PATENTS. 



223 



PATENTS. 

INVENTIONS RECENTLY PATENTED BY RESIDENTS OF 
RICHFIELD SPRINGS. 



WALTER'S BURGLAE ALARM. 

A VALUABLE INVENTION. 

Among the practical and useful iuventions of the age, 
we wish to call especial attention to a " burglar alarm," 
recently invented by Mr. H. E. Walter, of this place. 
We here present a cut of this little instrument, as it 




appears when set up in working order. By the appli- 
cation of this alarm to any building, the inventor has 
secured the following great advantages over any other 
appliance. The alarm, which is invisibly connected with 



224 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 

every exposed door and window in the house, is placed 
in the sleeping-room, and is operated by electricity. 
The simple turning of a button (or switch) on the alarm, 
is all that is necessary to connect or disconnect it with 
the windows or doors in any part of the house. When 
it is set for the night, the opening of any door or win- 
dow in the building instantly rings the hell, which con- 
tinues ringing until it is stopped by the person in 
charge. Closing them has no effect on the alarm to 
stop it after it is set in motion. A small pointer or indi- 
cator instantly tells you if a door or window is left open 
after you suppose them to be closed. The windows can 
be left open sufficiently for ventilation, and if moved 
cither up or down, the bell instantly commences ring- 
ing, and at the same time, if the windows are closed, 
raising them one half inch causes the alarm to sound. 
When the alarm is set, it is impossible to remove a sash 
without ringing the bell. 

Mr. Walter says, " We use a clock attachment when 
desired, which prevents the alarm ringing at any given 
hour in the morning. We set them up, on a closed cir- 
cuit ; by so doing we avoid the danger of a wire being 
cut or broken, or the battery becoming weak or entirely 
exhausted, without sounding the alarm. We use a" new 
and exceedingly simple battery, made entirely of metal, 
which will last from eight to ten months, without any 
attention whatever." This alarm, when once set, re- 
quires no further attention, there being nothing to 
adjust. 

The Walter Electric Burglar Alarm Company 
was duly incorporated, January 24:th, 1874, with a capital 
stock of $10,000. Horace E. Walter, President, A. E. 
Elw^ood, Secretary and Treasurer. First Board of Trus- 
tees: H. E. Walter, H. C. Walter, A. H. Elwood, A. H. 



PATENTS. 225 

Elwood, and A. S. Howe. Place of business, Walter's 
Block, Richfield Springs, N. Y. General office and show- 
room, 13 and 14 Parker Block, Utica, N. Y. 



1st. BOWDISH'S PHOTOGRAPH POSING 
CHAIR, 

Patented in 1871. This chair is being generally adopted 
by the photographic fraternity. 

2d. BOWDISH'S POLISHING PRESS FOR 
PHOTOGRAPHS. 

3d. BOWDISH'S PATENT BALANCED CAMERA 
STAND, 

N. S. Bowdish, Patentee. 

4th. COLE & BOWDISH'S PATENT BALANCED 
REVERSIBLE YALVE, 

For Steam Engines. 



ROBERTS' EUREKA GIANT, 

A NEW Hydraulic Motor, invented in 1872, by N. C. 
Roberts, now of Leonardsville, Madison Co., N. Y. This 
popular Water Wheel is rapidly coming into general use. 



lO'' 



226 RICHFIELD SPRINGS AND VICINITY. 



COlSrCLUSION. 

We have gleaned as best we could the foregoing 
history, for the use of the present and future inhabitants 
of this place, and the strangers within our gates. We 
have endeavored to arrange the facts in an attractive 
and interesting form, embellished by the creations of 
fancy only to the extent justified hy the subject. We 
do not expect that many will experience the same in- 
terest and pleasure in its perusal that we have in its 
compilation. As a national characteristic, we are too 
intensely occupied with the present, to give much atten- 
tion or thought to the past ; and yet, in our more serious 
moments, and especially wlien age turns our thoughts 
and affections inward and backward, we love to look for 
the landmarks of bygone years. 

Beyond the French AVar, all in the history of this 
region is firmly locked in the dark, mysterious past. 

Tlie Pyramids of Egypt, it is supposed, were built 
more than 5,500 years ago, but not a trace of the subse- 
quent history of their builders can be found, except as 
read in those stupendous artificial relics. Silent and 
grand in the midst of the ruins of 5,000 years, they stand, 
to astonish and amaze the world. 

But no green thing grows there now. All is ruin 
and desolation. Xot so with Kature's grand monuments 
around Richfield. Of far more ancient date, they can 
boast a supreme Architect and Builder, who still lives, and 
his invisible agencies never cease to give fresh touches 
of beauty to these sublime works, making them ^^ a joy 
foreverr It required no centuries of the unpaid toil of 
millions of vassals to erect these beautiful hills, these 
continuous mountains — to hollow out these lakes, and fit 



CONCLUSION. 227 

them to receive and garner the springs, rivulets, and 
brooks tiowing into their bosom. Nor was earth's great 
Chemist indifferent to the attractions of this natural 
amphitheatre. Alas ! that the mountains should waste 
their centuries in looking down in solemn silence upon 
the lonely valley. It shall not be. From earth's hidden 
laboratory the waters gush forth. A crowd is gathered 
around this modern Bethesda ; all may come and be 
healed. Unlike the ancient pool, no waiting is required, 
for the healing angel gives it his constant attention — 
none are sent empty away. The benefits derived from 
the use of these waters, by thousands now living, assure 
the future of Eichfield. Its location, surroundings, and 
the diversity and efficacy of its mineral waters, place it 
beyond the competition of any watering-place now pop- 
ularly known. To very many of its early patrons it has 
become a second home, and the return of their happy 
faces on the opening of the seasons is looked for as a 
matter of course. 

By others it is sought as a dernier ressort for the 
relief of ills that other means have failed to secure. We 
can therefore confidently commit the future of the place 
to coming generations, believing the sons of such heroic 
sires will not fail to nobly emulate them in all commend- 
able public enterprises and private virtues. 



THE END. 



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